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paperboy Comment: Emphasis mine ... even if you're a harmless snake, you're d**ned by faint praise! Wes

TWEAN (Raleigh, N Carolina) 31 July 07 Snake bites child at Freedom Park (Mercer Van Schoor)
Charlotte: A 16-month-old was bit by a snake Monday afternoon in Freedom Park.
The child’s mother realized what happened and rushed the toddler -- and the snake -- to the hospital. Officials determined the snake, believed to be a ball python, was not poisonous and the child is expected to be OK.
Park and recreation officials say there are probably poisonous snakes, namely copperheads, in the area and possibly in the park, but the park is a place for both people and animals.
"We don't want human and wildlife interactions that have negative consequences,” said Michael Kirschman, of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. “We don't want people to get bit or stung. That rarely happens. We want to give them opportunities to enjoy their wildlife."
It is believed the snake was a pet that someone released into the wild.
Snake bites child at Freedom Park

I was actually at the pet store that picked up that snake today. It was a ball python... and a good looking one at that. They hit it with a shovel but it looks like it'll be fine. it ate and everything.

Poor thing, I mean the snake. Hit with a shovel? wow that sucks.

Photo and video report at URL

WCNC (Charlotte, N Carolina) 01 August 07 Snake bites toddler in Freedom Park (Melissa Martin)
Charlotte, N.C.: A child was bitten by a snake in a Charlotte park and, while the bite was not venomous, some are now wondering how that non-native snake ended up in the park to begin with.
The python that bit 15-month-old Adam Abelmonem on his calf as he and his mother walked through Freedom Park was three footballs long and is native to Africa.
"When people started saying it might be a poisonous snake that's what scared me. I started crying," said Christine Abdelmonem, Adam's mother.
Experts said the snake was probably someone's pet and they released it at Freedom Park. That's when it slithered past Adam and his mother.
"I lowered him down to see the ducks, and as soon as I did I felt a tug. I picked him up and he started screaming and I couldn't see his leg," said Christine.
The snake had wrapped itself around Adam's leg. That's when Christine's motherly instincts kicked in.
"The snake hung by his mouth from his leg. I pulled the snake again and I threw the snake," said Christine.
The snake had wrapped itself around Adam's leg.
Parks and recreation workers beat the python with a shovel and called 911.
Now the snake has some battle wounds of its own and is recovering at Pineville Pets.
"You can tell he's really sweet. The child that got bit, the only thing I can think, he was moving fast in front of the snake and he scared the snake so the snake struck out," said John Calchera of Pineville Pets.
As little Adam sleeps he's unfazed by what happened, but his mom will never forget it.
"I was really thankful everyone was there. It was like they knew," she said.
Christine said doctors had the snake brought to the hospital to ensure that it wasn't poisonous. Adam was hooked up to an IV for a while but should be fine. As for the snake, once he's fully recovered he will be put up for sale.
Snake bites toddler in Freedom Park

I really hate it when people turn out reptiles because they are tired of taking care of them or don’t know how . That is what we are hear for , Rescues like mine are here for people to turn in unwonted reptiles no Questions ask . And when they don’t use rescues they just heart the hobbies . David of DS Reptile Rescue