A Fair Lawn, NJ man ended up in the hospital after being bitten by a cobra that he had smuggled into New Jersey.

Eric Bortz, 25, reportedly purchased the albino monocled cobra from a dealer in Pennsylvania, along with a timber rattlesnake and a copperhead. A few days after bringing the snakes home, the cobra bit Bortz. He was rushed to the hospital and was listed in serious condition two days after the bite.

All three snakes were confiscated and handed over to Fish and Wildlife authorities.

Under New Jersey state law, it is illegal to possess venomous snakes, and officials were looking into the circumstances of how Bortz came to own the reptiles.

Bortz claimed that the dealer told him the three snakes had had their venom sacs removed.

Bortz was identified as an employee of Park Ridge Animal Hospital and a 2008 animal science and conservation graduate from Delaware Valley College.

Media reports indicated that the snakes weren't the only unusual pets at the Bortz residence, citing this paragraph from Bortz's website:

"Eric's pets include a tarantula named Mrs. Peebles, two Emperor scorpions named Baron and Bathory, a California king snake named Till, a Colombian red-tailed boa constrictor named Sepp, and his cute and cuddly rabbit named Theodora.'"

(Here are the links to the stories:)

http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/fairlawn/020111_Fair_Lawn_man_25_in_serious_condition_after_pet_cobra_bite.html?c=y&page=1

http://www.northjersey.com/community/pets/020211_New_video_of_cobra_that_bit_Fair_Lawn_man.html

Submitted on 08/25/2013

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: The Record (Bergen County, NJ), February 2011

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James said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Given that a) NJ law prohibits possession of such animals (and with good reason); b) He worked in the veterinary sciences and had a degree in animal science, and c) He believed the dealer at face value about the venom sacs being removed, I think this chump deserves an HM. Keep us posted as to his status!

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
When James says "chump" I think he hits the nail right on the head here. This guy certainly should have known better, so an HM is most definitely appropriate. Thanks!

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