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NBC 4 (Columbus, Ohio) 15 February 05 Man Talks About Snake Bite That Nearly Killed Him - Owner Says He Won't Get Rid Of Pet
Bucyrus, Ohio: The owner of a poisonous snake says he doesn't blame his pet for nearly killing him last week.
Phil Gallant, known to his friends as Tank, loves real snakes, told NBC 4's Monique Ming Laven he can't imagine giving up any of the 54 snakes in his garage.
When Gallant changed her water, his rhinoceros viper attacked him. The viper is one of the most venomous snakes in the world.
Her bite was small, but made solid contact. It took almost four hours to get to a Cincinnati hospital that could treat him.
"I started going into convulsions and couldn't breathe," Gallant said.
He said he started telling hospital workers who should get his life insurance and his house.
"I was prepared to go," Gallant said.
Even now, his devotion has not diminished.
"She could have killed me, but I wouldn't get rid of her for the world," Gallant said.
Man Talks About Snake Bite That Nearly Killed Him
