Man charged after snake bite

CLARKSVILLE, Ind., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Police said an Indiana man who was bitten by a venomous snake was later charged with possessing the serpent without a permit.

Conservation Officer Mac Spainhour said John Haley was rushed to a hospital after he was bitten by a rhinoceros viper Monday and medical staff discovered the snake's bite had not injected any venom into his blood, WLKY-TV, Louisville, Ky., reported Thursday.

"Today, I went back with a snake expert from our department and we confiscated three venomous snakes and there's about 23 other snakes, but they're non-venomous and they'll be held as evidence," Spainhour said.

He said Haley could face a fine of up to $1,000.