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Management Wants Man To Remove Pet Reptiles From Condo
POSTED: 3:44 pm EDT March 31, 2008
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- An Alexandria man is fighting to keep his collection of snakes and other reptiles in his family's condominium, but property management says they have to go.
In 11 aquariums, Nick Ignacio has ball pythons, two and half foot lizards, a bearded dragon, mice and frogs. The animals share his sixth-floor condo with his fiancée and 2-year-old son.
The condo's covenants committee wants the reptiles gone in six months and has made rules to keep them in their aquariums.
"I'm not allowed to take them out of their cage, which is neglectful if I were to not do that, because they need to be taken out to be bathed," Ignacio said.
"Most disturbing, it says we're not allowed to bring in anymore crickets, which four of our reptiles only eat live crickets," he added.
The reptiles have been with Ignacio at the condo for two and a half years, but his YouTube postings showing him holding them have drawn the attention of neighbors and property management.
The property manager said the reptiles are a pet rules violation. The rules are specific about the number and type of pets allowed.
Ignacio said they should be likened to fish in an aquarium and are not a danger.
"The bylaws don't pertain to exotic pets, and that's unfortunate because we've had these here for two and a half years and we've taken in many and given them to good homes, to people that can take care of them, and they pose no harm to anyone," Ignacio said.
If the animals are not removed in six months, Ignacio will lose cable and pool privileges and will stop receiving packages.