Pet rattler takes bite out of man!

[djc3674]

Story from the NY Daily News:

Pet rattler takes bite out of man

A Long Island man feeding his pet rattlesnake got into big trouble yesterday when the diamondback put him on the menu, police said.
The 3-foot-long rattler bit Andrew Kessler, 25, on the right hand, injecting a potentially lethal dose of venom, they said.

Kessler managed to call 911 and summon cops and Nassau County paramedics to his Massapequa home shortly after 4 p.m. They took him by helicopter to the snake-bite center at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx.

Paramedic supervisor Robert O'Brien said the "relatively slow-acting" snake venom would "likely do a lot of damage to the guy's skin and muscle, but otherwise he should be okay."

"He's lucky he called right away," O'Brien said.

By late last night, Kessler was in good condition on anti-venom medication and was expected to make a full recovery, a Jacobi spokesman said.

Investigators said Kessler also kept a poisonous copperhead, as well as several nonvenomous snakes, at his home.

The law prohibits anyone from possessing poisonous snakes without a license. It was unclear if Kessler had one.


Richard Weir and Leo Standora



Originally published on March 24, 2004

[BWSmith]

OUch. I find it odd that the Bronx has a "Snake-Bite Center". And while this story does not portray him in as negative of a way that is common for reporters, I feel that they should have checked to see if he does have a permit first.

The fact that so much information WAS released shows one of the drawbacks of 911 as opposed to calling an ambulance directly or being taken to the hospital by someone else. *shrug** It just reminds me that I need to add a HIPPA letter to my kit.

[Auskan]

I also thought it odd that there would be a snake bite center in the Bronx. Its not the kind of place you would expect there to be THAT many venomous bites!

[Gregg M]

The Bronx has a huge zoo with lots of venomous snakes...... Exotic and native..... Plus victims of native hot bites go to this hospital........ There are tones of timbers and copperheads in New York State...... They are air lifted from all parts of New York State and other close by states...... The man did not have the proper permits beause the snakes were confiscated and brought to the Bronx Zoo...... More bad press...... I am glad New York State has venomous laws in place........