Griswold OK's snake breeder's basement business

GRISWOLD, Conn. (AP) — A Griswold snake breeder has won a permit for his home-based business.

Randy LaPorte won a three-year permit Monday from the Planning and Zoning Commission to breed and sell nonpoisonous snakes in the basement of his house.

The Norwich Bulletin reports that snake hobbyists and professionals from New England packed the meeting to support LaPorte and provide information about LaPorte's ball pythons and red-tail boas.

Following a complaint about odors, the building inspector ordered LaPorte in May to stop selling snakes.

Questions on Monday focused on what would happen if the snakes escaped.

Officials were told that snakes require temperatures and humidity similar to a muggy summer day and would not survive outside LaPorte's climate-controlled basement.

___

Information from: Norwich Bulletin