‘Substandard living conditions,’ dangerous snakes in plastic totes found at apartment of Florence snake bite victim

FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — Florence police who went to the home of a man bitten by a venomous snake encountered “substandard living conditions” and dangerous snakes in plastic totes with holes big enough that they could escape.

Police began investigating on Friday after Jeffrey Leibowitz was bitten by an inland taipan snake in the webbing between his index finger and thumb, a police report said. The snake, one of 14 venomous snakes he owned , is native to Australia and is known for having the most potent and dangerous venom among its species.

The police report said due to a prior inland taipan snake bite in recent months, the antivenom was in short supply. However, Leibowitz’s father told police that his son had been given antivenom. Police said Tuesday morning that he was still in serious condition at a hospital.

Police initially responded after being contacted by Florence County Emergency Medical Services. At that time, Leibowitz gave no other information about the location or number of snakes in his apartment, nor if the inland taipan was back in its cage after the bite, the report said.

During their investigation, police talked with an EMS supervisor who said Leibowitz was known on social media for having a large collection of venomous snakes in his home. Officers then looked at videos Leibowitz had posted on Facebook, which included one where he asked if anyone had antivenom for an inland taipan, reports said. He then said he would be at McLeod Hospital.

Reports state that Leibowitz’s Facebook page provided evidence that there were more dangerous snakes in his apartment. Police then obtained a search warrant based on the potential safety threat.

Before entering the apartment, the report said officers saw a large number of flies that were visible through the windows. Once inside, they met with the “overpowering smell of ammonia, feces, and rotting meat.”

They found a cat bed soaked with urine and feces on the floor of the main living area, raw meat in the kitchen, along with fly larvae and overflowing garbage, the report said. There were also open yogurt containers, spoiled cat food, and other “filth” on the floor.

Because of the conditions, several officers had to step outside momentarily to “get a breath of fresh air,” the report said.

Authorities determined that Leibowitz had only been living in the apartment for a couple of months. While in the apartment, authorities also found two cats, which were turned over to Animal Control.

News13 asked Florence police about photos from Leibowitz’s apartment. but was told they would not be released because it is not a criminal matter and the public has been informed, so there would be no benefit to public interest in releasing photos that reveal the victim’s home.

While investigating on Friday, officers were in contact with Leibowitz’s father, who authorized police to take custody of the snakes, reports said. Assistant Chief of Wildlife Will Dillman then assessed the conditions of the snakes and their enclosures.

He noted that the plastic totes they were in were “below acceptable standards and not adequately secured, posing a significant public safety risk.”

As authorities tried to figure out what to do with the snakes, Dillman said it was unlikely that any zoo or reptile sanctuary would accept them because of their conditions and unknown diseases they may have. Officers contacted multiple organizations, including River Banks Zoo, Alligator Adventure, Reptile Lagoon, Edisto Island Serpentarium, and South of the Border. However, none would accept them due to the safety risks they could pose.

Eventually, the snakes were secured and Leibowitz’s father gave Florence police permission to have them euthanized.

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Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook , X, formerly Twitter , and read more of her work here .

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