Reptile expert warns over ‘surprising’ lack of regulation on exotic pets

James Hennessy with a boa constrictor Picture: PA/Bairbre Holmes

Two highly venomous snakes, housed in tiny tanks in a terraced house, are just two of the dangerous pets veteran reptile rescuer James Hennessy has been called to.

In Ireland, licences are not needed to keep animals like these, so there is no way of knowing what is being kept, where they are being kept, how well they are secured or being looked after.