Neighborhood fills with venomous snakes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Residents of a Florida neighborhood said nearby road construction caused the area to become overrun with venomous snakes.

The Jacksonville neighbors said their problems with cottonmouths and water moccasins began when the reptiles' habitat was disturbed by construction to widen an Interstate 295 off-ramp to Old St. Augustine Road, WXJT-TV, Jacksonville, reported Wednesday.

Several residents said they have had to kill a number of the invading serpents. Bill Richardson, whose dog was bitten by a water moccasin, said he has killed 19 of them.

"Every couple days, there's at least a baby out back," Richard said. "Nothing can work. Moth balls or anything."

Residents said they are hoping officials will step in and help out.

"I know it's the responsibility of the homeowner, but that's a lot of wetlands," one resident said. "We're not going to chase them in there, so how do you maintain?"