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NEWS JOURNAL (Daytona Beach, Florida) 23 January 08 Deltona allows snake owner to keep reptiles for time being (Bob Koslow)
Deltona: A homeowner here with more than 50 venomous snakes, including cobras and rattlesnakes, will be allowed to keep the reptiles, for now.
City commissioners tabled a request by Brian Radenberg of 3051 Snow Drive to waive city codes that prohibit keeping venomous snakes. City officials want to see if Radenberg's state license for venomous reptiles from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission overrides the city code.
"I am not familiar with the license or the details of the case," Acting City Attorney George Trovato said. "Maybe it does supersede any of our ordinances or prevents such a city code. It may be possible that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has the right to have the wild animals in the city boundaries and we can't prevent that."
Commissioners gave Trovato 30 days to report back about the status of the city code relating to a state license.
But, Trovato may not be making the report.
The commission also set a Feb. 6 workshop to review applications for the city attorney position that has been vacant since Nov. 12 when Roland Blossom was fired and Trovato appointed as an interim.
"Like we did the last time, we will have an open discussion of the candidates and have public interviews," Commissioner Michele McFall-Conte said.
Eager to complete the process as soon as possible, commissioners would schedule a special meeting before Feb. 18 to interview selected candidates and pick a city attorney.
The city has 12 applications, including Trovato's.
An investigation into another case of a renter who is licensed to have venomous snakes at 1418 Independence Ave. led city code enforcement to ask the state for a list of license holders, said Dale Baker, director of enforcement services. Radenberg is the only other one, and just one of six in Volusia County, according to state records. There are no licensed venomous reptile owners in Flagler County.
Some nearby residents are scared of the numerous snakes.
"I am looking out for the safety of the children," resident Bessie Robinson said. "If his snakes are allowed on this one, more people will have them and it will become a problem."
Others aren't worried.
"My 5-year-old daughter goes over there. We are over there often watching TV and the snakes don't bother us," said Jennifer Self, who lives across the street from Radenberg. "He takes very good care of the snakes and he is very responsible. That's the kind of neighbor I want. There is no way the snakes can ever get out."
Radenberg, 37, said he's kept venomous snakes since he was 5 as a hobby. Some snakes he has had for 20 years. He doesn't sell snakes and he sometimes donates snakes to labs for venom.
State standards must be met before a license is issued. Cages and locks are required and the snakes are doubled-bagged and locked up when a hurricane approaches, Radenberg said.
"There are annual inspections and even surprise inspections," he said. "I have done everything possible to comply with Florida law."
However, Radenberg said he has 10 nonvenomous snakes and city code limits a home to five pets.
Deltona allows snake owner to keep reptiles for time being

I'll be darned if I can't find the link now....

FWC restated its position in 2008 that when it comes to wildlife, FWC supercedes local ordinances. This came into law in the 70's(?), but the FWC is being brought into so many court cases throughout the state that they made a point of reissuing their statement.

Personally, I think this one's a bit dodgy. If the disclosure bill was shot down, how is it that Deltona can get a list of venomous permit holders from the FWC and send Code after them? Since this is about 25 miles away from me, I'm watching this with interest.

One thing the article fails to mention is the owner had a petition from his neighbors showing support of his position. Overwhelming, most supported his responsible care of the snakes and didn't mind his keeping them.

Looks like a case of someone doing the right thing and big brother looking for a way to screw him out of his passion. When a person does everything the law calls for and still is scrutinized, there is definitely something wrong with the system. I hope that the state license precedes the city code, and I hope he gets to keep his nonvenomous herps as well. His donating of venom is an asset to the county and state, not a fault.
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Todd Hughes

UPI 23 January 08 State, city laws collide on snake issue
Deltona, Fla.: Officials in Deltona, Fla., are considering whether a city ordinance trumps a state permit held by a man who owns 50 pet snakes.
Brian Radenberg is licensed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to keep his 50 snakes -- which include both venomous and non-venomous specimens -- but the collection violates a Deltona city ordinance, WESH-TV, Orlando, Fla., reported Wednesday.
Radenberg made his case for keeping the snakes to the Deltona City Commission, and the body tabled the debate for 30 days while lawyers research whether the state law or city ordinance holds more sway.
Several neighbors made arguments for and against Radenberg's pets at the commission meeting.
"It doesn't bother us at all. He takes very good care of them," neighbor Jennifer Self said.
"If we allow this guy to have venomous snakes in his home, then quite sure it's going to be more people wanting to have pets, and it's going to be a problem," said Bessie Washington. another resident.
State, city laws collide on snake issue