A Borden man was taken to University Hospital in Louisville on Monday night after being bitten by a deadly snake he owns. Now, he could face criminal charges.
Conservation Officer Mac Spainhour said the man owns 25 snakes, three of them venomous. Skin had grown over the mouth of his rhinoceros viper, and the owner was trying to remove the skin when the snake bit him.
Spainhour described it as a “dry bite,” meaning no venom entered the man. Chances are slim of surviving a venomous bite from a rhinoceros viper without immediately being treated, he said.
The man reportedly owns two rhinoceros vipers and a bothrops asper.
“In Clark County, it’s fairly unusual,” he said of having a venomous snake bite.
Spainhour said you need a class 3 level permit to own that type of snake in Indiana. The bite victim, who has raised snakes for about 40 years, reportedly moved to Daisy Hill Road in Borden about three to four weeks ago from Kentucky. Spainhour said he believes it would be illegal to have those snakes in Kentucky.
The victim’s name is not being released until investigators interview him because of possible charges he may face.
Spainhour said he still has to complete his investigation and decide what to do next. Possession of venomous snakes without a permit is a class C misdemeanor. The snakes also could be removed from the house, but he could possibly apply for a permit and have them returned. Spainhour said it is unlikely the snakes would be put down.
Spainhour said it is important to have a permit because of public safety.
“If there was a fire, and firefighters had to enter the house, they would not know what is there,” he said. “That’s a potential hazard to the public.”
If the snake were to escape, it would also be easier to find information about the snake if it is registered, he said.
Clark County
Borden man bitten by venomous viper snake
Victim could be charged for not having permit to own snake
-
-
SWEET TREAT: Volunteers see the attraction of annual Starlight Strawberry Festival
-
THE 'V' WORD: SUB: Prosser Career Education Center moves away from stigma of ‘vocational’ school
- TARC sets Memorial Day and Kennedy Bridge route changes
-
Former employee sues Jeffersonville
The suit references a city policy, in which employees are supposed to receive a $100 stipend for each day they’re on call.
Continued ... -
Vietnam veteran receives medals 46 years after active duty ends
-
Pence talks bridges, jobs during Southern Indiana swing
“I think everyone senses with the recent bridges agreement, the potential for extraordinary growth,” said Mike Pence, a U.S. House member who is seeking to replace Gov. Mitch Daniels and retain the gubernatorial seat for the Republican Party.
Continued ... -
Delaware woman dies in I-65 crash
-
Clark County approves self-insurance plan
Clark County Insurance Agent-of-Record Diane Swank presented health insurance renewal options at the council meeting Monday, but the county’s fiscal body decided to recess its meeting in order to review a proposal to move the county to a self-insured plan.
Continued ... - May 24, 2012
-
Jeff to start enforcing insurance ordinances
A 2004 ordinance that dictates how much city retirees pay for health insurance – ignored for years by Jeffersonville officials – looks like it will now be enforced.
Continued ... - ISP arrests five at Clark County roadblock
-
