Owner of missing king cobra cited for delaying escape report

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Officials say the owner of a king cobra that escaped an Orlando home last week is being cited for not immediately reporting it.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that Mike Kennedy realized the snake had escaped from its cage last Tuesday after returning from a two-day trip. Court documents say Kennedy spent about 24 hours searching for the cobra before reporting it missing.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that the misdemeanor charge carries a $366 fine, though Kennedy can request a hearing to contest it.

Wildlife officials say at least one patrol officer will continue to check the traps around the 5-acre property where the cobra escaped. Wildlife officials say they hope scaling back the search will make the cobra feel more comfortable about coming out from its hiding spot.

CBS affiliate WKMG previously reported that the snake escaped near an elementary school.

Since the cobra went missing children at the school have not been allowed to play outside.

"It would be nice if they found the snake, so that my son could go out and play every day during PE," said Heather Lee to WKMG.

WKMG reports Kennedy has a lot more than just snakes living on his five acres of land in West Orange County.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission told WKMG it has also spotted a leopard, four crocodiles, an alligator and four pythons.

He also owns several other venomous snakes, including a diamondback rattlesnake, a Florida cottonmouth, a Gaboon viper and two other cobras.