Illegally owned rattlesnake sinks fangs into its owner

LAPORTE — A poisonous pet snake landed a LaPorte man in an Indianapolis hospital Saturday.

Gary Slayden, 27, went to LaPorte Hospital Saturday night after being bit in the hand by his pet Western diamondback rattlesnake, according to Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officer Shawn Brown. The hospital, however, was not equipped with anti-venom for a rattler, so Slayden was transported to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Slayden was in the intensive-care unit at Methodist Monday afternoon, but was expected to recover from the bite, according to Brown.

The snake, however, may not be as lucky. Slayden refused to tell authorities the location of the snake, Brown said. With no pet owners in the area of Slayden’s residence at 701 Maple St. possessing a permit to own a Class III wild animal, the DNR was forced to search the property, Brown said.

The snake was seized Monday morning at the residence.

“The snake will most likely be destroyed,” Brown said.

Slayden, along with his roommates Timothy Franco, 30, and Gary Casteel, 20, could be charged with a misdemeanor for possession of an illegal pet, according to Brown.

There is so far no information on how or where the snake was acquired.

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. “Good, old-fashioned common sense comes into play. There are things you just have to be careful with.”

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