2 Press: Albany man gets unusual bite at Wal-Mart

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Posted by Wes von Papine�u on April 04, 2001 at 10:12:04:

DAILY STAR (Hammond, Louisiana) 03 April 01 Albany man gets unusual bite at Wal-Mart (Dori Claytor)
A pygmy rattlesnake bit an Albany man's finger Monday while the man was shopping for flowers in the Wal-Mart SuperCenter Garden Center in Hammond.
Benjamin Threeton told Hammond police he was picking up a potted flower just before noon when he felt a "pinch" on his left index finger, said Lt. Sal Mike, Hammond Police public information officer.
He jerked his hand back and found a 6-inch snake attached to his finger. He flung the snake to the ground and smashed it under his shoe killing it.
Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control officer Denny Lloyd arrived and identified the snake as a pygmy rattlesnake and advised Threeton to seek medical attention.
Llyod put the snake in a plastic bag for Threeton to take with him to North Oaks Medical Center where he was treated and released.
"This has been quite an experience," Threeton said this morning. "I couldn't even sleep last night. It's a spooky ordeal."
Threeton refused to comment further saying he may seek legal advice.
"Summer is upon us, and people need to be alert for snakes when around any grassy and/or garden type environment whether indoors or outdoors," Mike said.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=1622963&BRD=1423&PAG=461&dept_id=169546&rfi=6

THE ADVOCATE (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) 04 April 01 Pygmy rattler bites customer at store
Hammond: A customer reported being bitten by a snake as he handled plants at a discount store, police reported Tuesday.
Animal Control officers identified the snake as a Pygmy rattlesnake and recommended that the customer go to a hospital for precautionary treatment, city police Lt. Sal Mike Jr. said.
The customer, Benjamin Threeton of Albany, said the bite of the 6-inch-long reptile didn�t penetrate his skin.
He said he was handling plants Monday at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Hammond when the snake latched onto a finger.
Threeton said he immediately shook the snake off and stomped it to death.
What happened "really didn�t set in" until after he killed the snake, Threeton said.
Pygmy rattlesnakes are venomous, but seldom grow to more than 18 inches long.
Wal-Mart officials said they were aware of the complaint and are investigating.
"We have never had a problem like this in the past," said spokeswoman Jessica Moser of the company�s corporate office.
"Providing an environment that is safe is a top priority" of the company, she said.
http://www.theadvocate.com/news/story.asp?StoryID=20480

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: DAILY STAR (Hammond, Louisiana) 03 April 01 Albany man gets unusual bite at Wal-Mart (Dori Claytor) : A pygmy rattlesnake bit an Albany man's finger Monday while the man was shopping for flowers in the Wal-Mart SuperCenter Garden Center in Hammond. : Benjamin Threeton told Hammond police he was picking up a potted flower just before noon when he felt a "pinch" on his left index finger, said Lt. Sal Mike, Hammond Police public information officer. : He jerked his hand back and found a 6-inch snake attached to his finger. He flung the snake to the ground and smashed it under his shoe killing it. : Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control officer Denny Lloyd arrived and identified the snake as a pygmy rattlesnake and advised Threeton to seek medical attention. : Llyod put the snake in a plastic bag for Threeton to take with him to North Oaks Medical Center where he was treated and released. : "This has been quite an experience," Threeton said this morning. "I couldn't even sleep last night. It's a spooky ordeal." : Threeton refused to comment further saying he may seek legal advice. : "Summer is upon us, and people need to be alert for snakes when around any grassy and/or garden type environment whether indoors or outdoors," Mike said. : http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=1622963&BRD=1423&PAG=461&dept_id=169546&rfi=6 : THE ADVOCATE (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) 04 April 01 Pygmy rattler bites customer at store : Hammond: A customer reported being bitten by a snake as he handled plants at a discount store, police reported Tuesday. : Animal Control officers identified the snake as a Pygmy rattlesnake and recommended that the customer go to a hospital for precautionary treatment, city police Lt. Sal Mike Jr. said. : The customer, Benjamin Threeton of Albany, said the bite of the 6-inch-long reptile didn�t penetrate his skin. : He said he was handling plants Monday at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Hammond when the snake latched onto a finger. : Threeton said he immediately shook the snake off and stomped it to death. : What happened "really didn�t set in" until after he killed the snake, Threeton said. : Pygmy rattlesnakes are venomous, but seldom grow to more than 18 inches long. : Wal-Mart officials said they were aware of the complaint and are investigating. : "We have never had a problem like this in the past," said spokeswoman Jessica Moser of the company�s corporate office. : "Providing an environment that is safe is a top priority" of the company, she said. : http://www.theadvocate.com/news/story.asp?StoryID=20480

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