A man cleaning his poisonous snake's tank was bitten by the pet, so he "chopped the serpent's head off with a fishing knife," according to the Staten Island Advance.
The incident occurred in the 27-year-old Graniteville man's home around 10:30 p.m. last night. After decapitating the Sub-Saharan Gaboon viper, the Post reports, the man called 911 and was taken to Jacobi Medical Center's poison control unit. Doctors found no poison in his system and he was listed in stable condition.
Police also found a boa constrictor in the home.
The victim received a summons for the viper. The NYC Health Code (PDF) states that "all front-fanged venomous snakes, even if devenomized, including, but not limited to, all Viperidae (viper, pit viper)" are prohibited because they are considered to be a wild animal, which the city classifies as an animal that's "naturally inclined to do harm and capable of inflicting harm upon human beings." Here's a Sub-Saharan Gaboon viper in action—no kidding about the "This clip contains scenes viewers may find disturbing" warning!
