WTHR (Indianapolis, Indiana) 23 February 05 Pet rattlesnake bites LaPorte man
Laporte, Indinana: A man bitten by his pet rattlesnake was still hospitalized Wednesday and could be charged with possessing an illegal animal, authorities said.
Gary Slayden, 27, went to LaPorte Hospital Saturday night after his pet Western diamondback rattlesnake bit his hand, said Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officer Shawn Brown. The hospital did not have anti-venom for a rattlesnake, so Slayden was transported to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
Slayden was in serious condition Wednesday, a hospital spokeswoman said. But he was expected to recover from the bite, Brown said.
Slayden refused to tell authorities where the snake was, but the DNR found it Monday after searching Slayden's property in the city about 25 west of South Bend, Brown said. The snake likely will be destroyed, he said.
Slayden and his roommates could be charged with a misdemeanor for possessing a pet without a wild animal permit, Brown said.
DNR Lt. Jerry Shepard explained that precautions must be taken when owning a dangerous animal.
"When you're going to own a venomous-type reptile, you've got to be thoroughly trained and have the knowledge to how to handle those," Shepherd said.
Pet rattlesnake bites LaPorte man