Florida Fish and Wildlife officials have filed a notice of intent to revoke a man’s license to own a venomous king cobra.
Wildlife officials said Mike Kennedy will have 21 days to respond and will be entitled to an appeal before any final action is taken.
If revoked, Kennedy would no longer be permitted to own venomous reptiles in Florida.
The letter from FWC listed dozens of violations by the owners of the cobra, including three escapes of cobras and rattlesnakes, unlocked cages and the overall failure to provide safe and secure housing of venomous snakes.
Kennedy's snake, which escaped its cage at his home on North Apopka Vineland Road in early September, was discovered at a nearby home late Wednesday night.
When Kennedy reported the escape, the king cobra became the focus of a massive search by wildlife officials.
For nearly two weeks students at a nearby elementary school were forced to have recess indoors because of concerns about the snake.
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Late Wednesday night, a woman who lives about 1,500 feet from Kennedy heard a hissing sound as she was putting clothes into the dryer in her garage.
Orange County Animal Services officers responded and pulled the king cobra from under the dryer.
The snake was returned to kennedy after officers inspected to make sure the cage was secure.
Following the snake's escape, Kennedy was fined $366 after he admitted to waiting 24 hours to report the escape.
It wasn't the first time one of Kennedy's king cobras escaped. He has been cited six times in the past for violating rules, officials said.
Kennedy's first king cobra escape happened in 2001.
He was cited in 2004 for improper caging of a rattlesnake and for unlicensed crocodiles.
In 2013, he was written up again for improper licensing.
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