Venous snake taken from Shelby County

SHELBY COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) – Officers quoted a Kentucky woman after the state said she had unconsciously contacted law enforcement officials to About a cobra in his possession

originated from the house of the woman in late June. The woman told the police that she did not want to let the police know that she had in her possession the venomous reptile, but that it was too big for her.

It is illegal to possess dangerous and exotic animals in Kentucky. The snake was taken from home and place with the Kentucky Reptile Zoo in Slade.

"Really the main reason they are considered dangerous is that the anti-venom for these snakes is not readily available," Kentucky Reptile Zoo said. Co-director Kristen Wiley. "It's a logistical nightmare that can make this bite much more serious than it would have been if it had been treated in a timely manner."

The snake was quarantined for safety. If it is erased, its venom can be used for good reasons such as medical research.

"There is currently on the market drugs derived from snake venoms, one of the most well-known is hypertension that benefits millions of people around the world," Wiley said. . "Without the snakes that would not exist today."

The owner of the snake is cited for importing and detaining prohibited wild animals.