Police: Venomous biting snake is dead

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Police said a highly venomous snake in Winnipeg, Manitoba, that bit a man's face this month has been confirmed dead and no threat to the public.

Police have released few details about the bite incident Oct. 19 in which a man slipped into a coma after the bite before antivenin from the Toronto Zoo was flown to Winnipeg.

The unidentified 31-year-old man was able to identify the snake as a long-fanged West African gaboon viper before losing consciousness, the Winnipeg Sun said Thursday.

Investigators told reporters Wednesday they had determined the snake had been within city limits -- which is illegal -- and that it was confirmed dead. They refused to elaborate, the Winnipeg Free Press said.

Constable Jacqueline Chaput said the man faces a maximum $1,000 fine under the city's exotic pets bylaw, which bans deadly species.

"I think a fine is something one would welcome -- and have your life, rather than have tragic consequences," Chaput said.