Rattlesnake Bites Man in Walmart Garden Center

[rebelrachel13]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...25091320120517

The 47-year-old was out in the parking lot garden center when he came upon the Walmart rattlesnake, according to KIRO radio. He bent down to pick up a stick, but when that stick bit his hand, he realized it was a snake. He then started "screaming bloody murder."

Luckily, a nearby shopper acted fast and got Mica Craig to a local emergency room. It was there that doctors initially diagnosed it as a "dry bite" and sent him home with instructions to come back in case of swelling, according to Reuters. He returned 20 minutes later after his hand swelled up to the "size of a grapefruit."

ER doctor Jay Hunter said that Craig initially showed no signs that venom had been injected. But when Craig came back he was treated with six vials of anti-venom, The Spokesman-Review reports.

Walmart has issued an apology for the rattlesnake incident, and a spokesperson told Reuters that pest management is taking a closer look at the property. A Walmart claims adjuster has also been in contact with Craig. It's unclear whether there is a problem at the site or if the rattlesnake was shipped with the garden supplies.

It's also unclear at this point whether Walmart can be held responsible for Craig's injuries. Unless there is a rattlesnake problem in the area there doesn't seem to have been any reason for Walmart to have inspected the parking lot for snakes. It may have simply been a bizarre and unpreventable accident.

[5/16/2012 12:50 pm PST Editor's Note: This post was updated to clarify the chronology of Mr. Craig's treatment for the snake bite.]

Kind of a freaky story, but for once, I am actually somewhat impressed at the reporting for this event. Video here:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/163952333...tcmp=obnetwork

Glad the guy is okay.

[Rob]

Yeah the hodge twins covered that story, I won't be picking up any "sticks" at wal mart.

[Mike41793]

If walmart had snakes maybe id go more often

[ball python 22]

If walmart had snakes maybe id go more often

Couldnt agree more

[cmack91]

If walmart had snakes maybe id go more often

Just remember to bring a hook lol.

[Slim]

And here I've been tromping through field and forest looking for snakes, and all I needed to do was head to Wal-Mart...They really do have everything!

[Maratila]

Just remember to bring a hook lol.

I would love to see the looks on everyone-in-the-Walmart-parking-lot's faces as they see a bunch of weird looking people (dressed in their herping clothes) with long hooks flipping over every piece of garbage they find or crawling under the cars with flashlights.

[Salamander Rising]

And here I've been tromping through field and forest looking for snakes, and all I needed to do was head to Wal-Mart...They really do have everything!

Yeah, but all their snakes are made in China.

[mainbutter]

Not the first time this has happened at a retail garden location. Watch where you step and where you put your hands if you live somewhere that has hots!

[Navy]

If walmart had snakes maybe id go more often

x2

"Where you going?"
"To Walmart"
"For what?"
"Snakes"
"???"