Most of Brian Radenberg's neighbors knew he kept 50 posionous snakes inside his Deltona home -- rattlers, green mambas and cobras -- and they said they were OK with it.
"I caught my first snake when I was 5 years old. Since then, I've been collecting snakes," Radenburg explained.
"I'm petrified of snakes, but he keeps then secure and everything, and I don't have a problem with it," said Pat Gradischek, Radenburg's neighbor.
Neighbors may be fine with it, but the city of Deltona was not.
A city ordinance states no one can keep any number of venomous snakes within the city limits.
Because Radenberg was in violation of that ordinance, city officials could either take away the snakes or force the snake handler to get rid of them. If he did not, Radenberg may have to move.
In response, Radenberg asked neighbors to sign a petition and is asking city commissioners for an exception to the rule.
Radenberg had already obtained a venemous reptile license from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and said he follows strict guidelines to make sure the snakes do not slither away into someone's back yard.
"My snakes don't pose any danger to anyone. They're all locked up," Radenberg said.
Radenberg may set a precedent if commissioners make an exception.
City officials said this was the first time the ordinance has been questioned.
At a meeting Tuesday night, Mayor Dennis Mulder said the city's ordinance was old and did cover venomous snakes.
"Florida Fish and Wildlife -- no joke -- they do surprise inspections," Radenberg said at the meeting. "Can't leave any case unlocked -- I could lose my permit, lose my right to keep them."
"It doesn't bother us," said Jennifer Self, Radenburg's neighbor. "He takes care of them, he watches them -- secure. He's very reponsible."
Mulder said the city would look into the legalities of the ordinance and study whether it holds up to state statutes.
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