Snake Bite Victim Fighting To Reclaim Snakes



ST. FRANCIS, WIS. -- The St. Francis man bitten by a venomous pet snake in April has recovered some of his snakes.



Jeremy Loveland had more than three-dozen reptiles in his home when he was bitten by a Gaboon viper April 11. His snakes were removed from the home.



He now has most of the nonvenomous snakes back, and he is trying to reclaim the venomous reptiles.



However on April 19, St. Francis passed a city ordinance banning venomous snakes and requiring a permit for more than two nonvenomous snakes shorter than five feet.



Loveland insists his snakes pose no risk.



"No need to worry," Loveland told 12 News. "I have them all under lock and key."



On April 14, from a Froedtert Hospital bed, Loveland showed 12 News where the several-inch-long fangs pierced his wrist.



The scars are now healing. The swelling is subsiding. But Loveland said the emotional wound of losing those venomous snakes remains.



"I have every intention of getting them back," Loveland said. "These things are basically my heart and soul. To have them taken away is to take away my soul itself," he said.



The new city ordinance says when considering permit requests, the Health Department will consider the degree of danger, health risk and nuisance posed by an animal.



www.wisn.com/news/27781509/detail.html

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