The king cobra that escaped its enclosure more than a month ago from a home in west Orange County was found Wednesday night underneath a dryer in the garage of a home in Ocoee, officials said.

The 10-foot-long snake, named Elvis, was found along the 5000 block of Sawdust Circle, which is about a half-mile from Mike Kennedy's ranch on North Apopka Vineland Road.

Kennedy reported the snake missing on Sept. 2.

Kennedy's wife, Valerie said the cobra would be moved to a more secure cage Mike built for Elvis should he return.

She also said Elvis was weak and in need of medical attention after more than a month of roaming around on his own.

Cynthia Mullvain said she heard hissing while she was doing laundry at her home Wednesday night.

Orange County Animal Services arrived at the home and said the snake was hissing and didn't want to be caught. The snake was shedding, however, which made it more dormant.

Wildlife officials used tongs to capture the snake from underneath the dryer.



This is the home where the missing king cobra was found Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, in Ocoee. (Jerry Hume, Staff)

Mullvain said she was never afraid of the snake and thinks Kennedy should be able to keep the king cobra as long as he makes sure the snake's enclosure is secured.

"It only hissed when I put something in the dryer," Mullvain said. "But, you got to remember the washer had run its whole cycle, so that probably woke it up; excited it."

A microchip inside the venomous snake confirmed it was the one that went missing from Kennedy's Dragon Ranch. Kennedy's wife also responded to the home and confirmed the snake belonged to her husband.



"Mike was tireless in his search for this animal," Valerie Kennedy said. "He built the cages, he manned the traps. He worked really hard to find this snake. We didn't want him harmed (and) we didn't want the public harmed. We're thankful. We're overjoyed, actually."

A few days after the snake went missing, Mike Kennedy was cited by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for not reporting the snake missing in a "timely manner."

Kennedy pleaded not guilty to the charge on Wednesday.

In an exclusive interview in mid-September, Kennedy said the animals that are kept on his property aren't pets. His 5-acre property, known as Dragon Ranch, is a refuge for abandoned or displaced exotic animals, including other snakes, crocodiles, alligators and even a leopard. He has permits for all of the animals, including the king cobra.

Kennedy said he noticed the snake was missing after returning from a trip. He said he searched for the snake by emptying his garage and attic several times. After he wasn't able to find the king cobra, he called and reported it missing the next day. He was fined $366 for not reporting it in a "timely manner."

Kennedy has been cited in the past for not keeping dangerous reptiles in secure locations.



How animal control officers caught the king cobra



Four animal control officers talk about trying to catch the king cobra and keep it safe. (John W. Davis, Staff)

"The first thing that went through my mind is, 'Oh my gosh. I think we've got the cobra,'" said Kimberley Duncan with Orange County Animal Services.

It took officers about 90 minutes to capture the 10-foot king cobra named Elvis, who had been missing for more than a month.

The ordeal was a constant struggle, including 10 minutes of trying to catch it after it escaped from under the dryer inside an Ocoee home where it was found Wednesday night.

"I'm about 5 foot 6, 5 foot 7, and he was about eye level with me," said Officer Jenifer Porter.

Porter said as the snake stood up, time also stood still.

"I think my life (flashed before my eyes). Absolutely, I would be completely lying if I didn't say I was absolutely afraid. It was a frightening experience," Porter continued.

The king cobra was captured using snake tongs. But transporting the large venomous snake was an issue.

"I tried to get it in my snake box but it definitely wasn't big enough," said Officer Billy Ledford, who ended up putting the snake inside a cat cage and then a secondary soft carrier to keep everyone safe.

Throughout the night, officers said the snake was aggressive and wanted to put up a fight.

"Trying to bite the sticks, trying to bite anything. I wouldn't prefer tackling another one of those right now," Ledford said.

However, animal services officers said they were just doing their job.

"You have a little bit of fear. Obviously you think fear initially but then it becomes, you kind of control it and you just judge the situation," said Officer Kirsten Smith.

Animal Services turned the snake over to FWC, who then returned it to its owner.