Kennett Square plans to ban exotic animal ownership after man’s rattlesnake bite

It only took one bite for Kennett Square borough officials to step in and announce plans to prohibit exotic animal ownership.

A man was bitten by his rattlesnake last week in his apartment and, sensing a potential borough danger, Manager Brant Kucera says an ordinance preventing more of the same could come early next year.

The Kennett Paper reports the borough would make it illegal to “own any exotic wildlife for any purpose.” The Chester County Health Department prohibits residential ownership of exotic wildlife. That includes venomous snakes like rattlesnakes, except for use at shows, fairs circuses or in research.

The man bitten by his snake has a state permit to keep that and the alligator, monitor lizards and other venomous snakes he owns.