Canada Journal – News of the World Articles and videos to bring you the biggest Canadian news stories from across the country every day
A king cobra snake that had been missing was found under a dryer in a garage not far from its owner’s home near Orlando.
The venomous snake, named Elvis, disappeared from Airplane Repo star Mike Kennedy’s Florida home on 2 September.
The 10ft (3m) cobra was found on Wednesday hiding under a clothes dryer in a woman’s garage about a half-mile from Kennedy’s ranch.
Cynthia Mullvain, who said she heard the snake hissing as she was loading the dryer, seemed undisturbed by the encounter.
“Snakes don’t upset me … It’s a snake, I just knew I wasn’t gonna catch it,” she told reporters on Thursday.
Ms Mullvain added she did not actually see the large cobra until officers carried it out of her garage in a cage.
For weeks, the snake’s unknown whereabouts put local residents on edge.
Students at a nearby elementary school were not allowed outside for recess for several days.
Kennedy, who is reportedly licenced to handle venomous reptiles, pleaded not guilty this week to a misdemeanour charge for failing to immediately report the snake missing.
Meanwhile, Elvis has been returned to Kennedy’s ranch after his wife, Valerie, positively identified the snake and state wildlife officials scanned the reptile for microchip-identification.
“Back safe … weak but alive, no harm to anyone, grateful,” Ms Kennedy tweeted about the snake’s return home.
Asked by reporters if she was concerned about the cobra going back to its owner, Ms Mullvain said it did not bother her as long as Kennedy improved the snake’s housing.
“Somebody has to take care of these critters,” she said. “I don’t believe in killing them.”
Agencies/Canadajournal
