ORLANDO SENTINEL (Florida) 06 March 08 On snakes, city decides to live and let hiss - Deltona finds that only the state has authority over the keeping of exotic animals around homes. (Denise-marie Balona)

Venomous snakes are free to stay in Deltona as pets so long as their owners have a state license.

City commissioners voted Monday night to change their rule for what animals residents can keep as pets. After the city tried to force a resident to get rid of his 50-plus cobras, vipers and other venomous snakes, it learned it has no say over who can keep such exotic animals.

Only the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has that authority. City resident Brian Radenberg is a snake handler licensed with the state agency.

City leaders have said they had no choice but to change Deltona's ordinance to allow dangerous animals whose owners have the state's OK.

Commissioners wanted to require owners to alert neighbors and the city of their reptiles, but they decided not to push the issue because the Fish and Wildlife Commission doesn't require it.

They wanted to make owners post signs alerting firefighters, police and other emergency workers. The state agency said it probably would challenge Deltona if the city did that, said acting City Attorney George Trovato.

"We don't have the authority to impose additional requirements," Trovato said.

Officials with the Florida Association of Counties met with the Fish and Wildlife Commission in late February to address similar concerns about dangerous animals.

Two of the association's suggestions were to have all owners of such animals have criminal-background checks and post warnings.

Cragin Mosteller, a spokeswoman for the association, said ideas were discussed but no action was taken. She said she expects the conversation to be the first of several.

"It will take some time to develop the best solution," she said. "The most important thing is we're talking."
On snakes, city decides to live and let hiss

[ Show Entire Thread ]