Venice man arrested on multiple animal cruelty charges, revolving around posessing and maintaining of venemous snakes

 

 

Venice man arrested on multiple animal cruelty charges, revolving around posessing and maintaining of venemous snakes

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

 

 

 

State Attorney’s Office 12th Judicial Circuit
 
State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Christopher George Pettit was convicted after jury trial of 6 Counts of Cruelty to Animals, 3 Counts of Keeping Venomous reptiles without a permit, 1 count of Unsafe Maintenance of Captive Wild Life, and 6 Counts of Confinement of Abandonment of Animals. The crimes were committed over the span of many months and were investigated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse beginning 4/6/2026 and ending 4/7/2026.
 
County Judge Megan Leaf presided over the case. The Defendant was sentenced to 6 months in the Sarasota County Jail followed by 18 months of probation. As a condition of probation, the Defendant is to have no care, custody, or control of animals and must register on the Animal Cruelty Registry.
 
The Defendant in this case kept 3 venomous snakes, two non-venomous snakes, and a Lace Monitor Lizard in a garage with no ventilation. They were in plastic bins with no food or water. All the animals were severely emaciated and dehydrated. One of the snakes later died after being rescued. There were also multiple dead snakes found in the garage. During trial the defendant shifted blame to his son who passed away several months ago. The Defendant also works at a veterinary office as a vet tech.
 
Assistant State Attorney Kyle Meyer the lead prosecutor, commented, “No animal, no matter what species, deserves to be treated the way those reptiles were treated. They suffered months of malnutrition and dehydration and were left to die a slow and painful death. Furthermore, the Defendant put the community at risk by keeping the venomous animals without proper safeguards. This prosecution would not have been successful without the tireless work and effort of FWC Investigator Robert O’Horo, Deputy Robbie Martin of SSO, Dr. Jack Landess, and the civilian witnesses who testified.”
 
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Kyle Meyer in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.
 
NOTE: All arrestees are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. To obtain court disposition for those facing state charges you can contact the Sarasota Clerk of Court at 941.861.7400.