PRESS-JOURNAL (Vero Beach, Florida) 01 January 05 Snake owner had reptile permit (Tony Judnich)
Sebastian: A former city resident who reportedly moved to Palm Bay recently along with dozens of his venomous snakes has a state permit to own the creatures, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said.
Edward J. Bellucci reportedly moved from a house he was renting on Schumann Drive — west of U.S. 1 and south of County Road 512 — after commission and local law-enforcement officials inspected the house last fall and cited him for improperly securing cages containing the snakes. Bellucci had some cages that did not have proper covers and locks, according to local officials, who also had said he didn't have a state permit for the snakes.
However, Bellucci does have the proper annual permit, which expires Sept. 28, 2005, said commission officials. They said people who are granted such a permit have proved to have the experience, knowledge and education to own venomous reptiles. Bellucci collected various creatures, but didn't sell them, local officials said.
Venomous reptiles, by city of Sebastian law, may not be kept at a city residence. City Code Enforcement Officer Antoine Van Meir had given Bellucci a notice of violation of the city ordinance, and by moving his pets out of the city within a certain time, Bellucci came into compliance, Van Meir said.
The city of Palm Bay follows the Brevard County ordinance on dangerous animals, which doesn't cover reptiles.
"We're more concerned with dogs and cats," Bob Brown, outreach officer for Brevard County Animal Services and Enforcement Department, recently said.
Snake owner had reptile permit