An investigation is underway following an incident Monday night where a man was bitten by a king cobra snake inside his Orange County residence.

Orange County Animal Services director Bob Marotto confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Ali Iyoob was in the Intensive Care Unit at UNC receiving treatment for the bite.

Marotto said the king cobra was not the only reptile in the residence.

“We have a sense that there are a large number of snakes, more than 20,” Marotto said, “and that they include venomous snakes, constrictive snakes and then other garden-variety snakes, if you will, that are neither constrictive nor venomous.”

Marotto added that other animals, including a cat, a dog and fowl, were also located at the residence.

Marotto said staff members with Animal Services are working with other local agencies, including law enforcement, to determine if any violations occurred. He added that the preliminary investigation points to a violation of a North Carolina General Statute. An Orange County ordinance prohibits keeping venomous or constrictive snakes inside the county. Marotto said a situation like this is exactly why that policy is in place.

“There’s no question, in my mind, that the public safety risks of wild and exotic animals, of snakes that are venomous and can administer a lethal bite are the primary reason we have the ordinance that we have here in Orange County,” Marotto said.

Officials did say that there does not appear to be a public safety concern following the incident and that all reptiles inside the residence have been secured. Marotto said Animal Services will be working with the other local agencies to remove the snakes and ensure they are properly cared for going forward.

There was no timeline available for when the snakes would be removed.

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