State, city laws collide on snake issue

Officials in Deltona, Fla., are considering whether a city ordinance trumps a state permit held by a man who owns 50 pet snakes.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.