Alligators, and snakes, oh my!
Eight American alligators and several snakes (some venomous, some not), have been confiscated by authorities from two Thousand Oaks properties on Thursday morning.
Officials served two search warrants, one at a home in Thousand Oaks, and another at a rural property in an unincorporated part of Ventura County near the city after it was discovered that a California Department of Fish and Wildlife 'Restricted Special Holder' was in possible violation of the conditions of the permit.
In a release from the Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control, officials say they served the search warrants after a second sighting of a cobra in the residential neighborhood.
"It appears that, despite the multiple levels of permits, approvals, and periodic inspections required, the permit holder was housing deadly venomous snakes in an unauthorized, densely populated, residential neighborhood, and in such a manner that they posed a substantial risk to public safety. All of the agencies involved share serious concerns for the potential that some unsuspecting person or pet may be injured or killed as a result of the failure to maintain these restricted species as required, and are working together to identify and remove the hazard."
LA County Animal Control officials say they served the warrants with assistance from other agencies.
The investigation is underway. There is no word on whether officials will bring any charges against the animals' owner.