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NEBRASKA CITY – Nebraska City Police, the Nebraska Humane Society and experts from the Henry Doorly Zoo seized venomous snakes and a lizard from a Nebraska City residence on Oct. 17.

Police obtained a search warrant for a north Eighth Street residence after receiving a tip that a six-year-old boy had been bitten on the hand by a venomous bearded lizard.

 

Police Captain Lonnie Neeman said 10 venomous snakes, including spitting cobras, copperheads and a diamond rattlesnake, were seized, as well as the Mexican bearded lizard.

Neeman said it is not uncommon for police to retrieve large snakes that make their way into residences, but he said the venomous reputation of these snakes put their capture in a whole separate category. Neeman said experts from the zoo were relied on for the removal.

The Egyptian cobra can grow up to nine feet and it’s venom is neurotoxic and can cause death within 30 minutes. The bite of a diamond rattlesnake can also be fatal for humans if left untreated.

 

 

Three of the reptiles were taken by Nebraska Game and Parks and the others are in the care of the zoo. Neeman said the owner, Jon Lewis, was cited and has relinquished ownership of the reptiles.

Cpt. Neeman said no one witnessed how the boy was injured at the house he was visiting, but it was reported at the hospital as a bite from a pet. Police obtained a court order to view medical records of the Sept. 29 incident.