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This type of cobra — the albino — bit a Fair Lawn man Monday night
Eric Bortz, who began working at the Park Ridge Animal Shelter last June said the seller told him the snake’s venomous sacks had been removed, police said.
Police got the call just before 9:30 from Bortz’s wife seeking an ambulance for her husband, who was having trouble breathing after the snake bit him about three hours earlier, Sgt. Richard E. Schultz said.
Bortz bought the snake along with two others in Pennsylvania this past weekend, had its venom sack removed, they said.
The victim first was treated at St. Joseph Medical Center in Paterson before being transferred to Jacobi, which has a special snake-bit unit, Schultz said.
Fair Lawn Animal Control officers seized the snake and turned over to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.
If he survives, Bortz could be fined: Ownership of poisonous snakes in New Jersey requires special training and permits, for safety reasons, the sergeant said.
to ensure the safety of the owner and the public.
One of the most popular snakes, the yellowish-white albino is also one of the most toxic. They move quickly and are popular for their Egyptian-type hoods. They cost roughly $500 each.
Schultz reminded snake owners that ownership of albino snakes “carry immense responsibility and should always be treated with respect regardless of whether the venom sac has been removed or not.”
If you are bitten by one, he said, summon police immediately.
According to the Park Ridge Animal Shelter web site, Bortz “has previous work experience in zoos and small animal hospitals. He graduated in 2008 from Delaware Valley College, majoring in Animal Science and Conservation. Eric’s pets include a pet tarantula named Mrs. Peebles, two Emperor scorpions named Baron and Bathory, a California Kingsnake named Till, a Colombian Red-Tailed Boa Constrictor named Sepp, and his cute and cuddly rabbit named Theodora.”
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