Man Dumps Bag of 5 Puff Adders in Bank after Repo of Car

SA News 24 ^ | 30.01.2004 | oilfieldtrash

[oilfieldtrash]

Snake attacker 'made threats' before 30/01/2004 08:41 - (SA)

Hooked (SAPS)

Related Articles Bank snaked out

Puff-adders an act of revenge

Katrien Smit

Johannesburg - A man who apparently released a bag of puff-adders at Absa's headquarters to get revenge, will face attempted murder charges.

The man, who was an Absa client until recently, apparently opened the box containing five puff-adders in the headquarters of Absa's foyer as a "warning," says an eye-witness.

A security guard was bitten by one of the snakes when he tried to pick it up.

Another guard contacted the emergency services and the security guard was taken to the Milpark Hospital where his condition is stable, says Malcolm Midgeley, speaking for the Johannesburg emergency services.

'We know who he is'

The man who brought the snakes to the building hasn't been arrested, but Errol Smith, speaking for Absa, says they know who he is and where to find him.

Smith says the man will face two other charges as well.

He apparently earlier threatened Absa staff members and allegedly assaulted Absa's security chief last year.

In dispute with Absa

Smith says the man is in dispute with Absa because of problems with his car financing.

Police Superintendent Chris Wilken says they are investigating a case of attempted murder.

Arno Naudé, a snake expert, says a puff-adder's poison can be deadly if a person doesn't receive medical treatment in time. The poison affects body tissues and can result in the loss of limbs.

Doctor Johan Slabbert, a plastic surgeon, says the poison didn't cause too much damage to the security guard because he was transported to the hospital quickly.

Midgeley says the five snakes have been freed at the Witwatersrand botanical gardens in Roodepoort.

[oilfieldtrash]

Anybody who knows anything about snakes knows that puff adders are the most aggressive, toxic snake in Africa reponsible for more deaths than any other snake in Africa.

[MEG33]

Another post is about a father and son mailing a copper head to a neighbor.No injuries.Wow,puff adders=attempted murder.

[Neanderthal]

"Midgeley says the five snakes have been freed at the Witwatersrand botanical gardens in Roodepoort."

Note to self: cancel visit to Witwatersrand botanical gardens in Roodepoort.

[flying Elvis]

Years ago a court case in Georgia centered on the premise of "Was threatening someone with a snake attempted murder" after a pastor of a snake handling church who had it in for someone and was chasing them around with a copperhead. The defense attorney was doing well until the pastor took the stand in his own defense. The prosecutor noticed one of the preacher's fingers was missing and asked him if the snakes were dangerous. The preacher replied, "Yes, they can kill you." He was convicted.

[GeronL]

but if he had been really mean he would have dumped the most deadly animal in Africa.... the hippo

[EuroFrog]

A security guard was bitten by one of the snakes when he tried to pick it up.

Well duh!! What kind of moron tries to pick up a snake? Bank security guards have guns right?