In a rare and tragic incident, Christopher Ward, 34, from Colorado, has died after being bitten by his pet Gila monster. The bite occurred on February 12, when Ward was bitten by one of his two pet lizards, named Winston and Potato.
Shortly after the bite, Ward was rushed to the hospital and placed on life support. Despite medical efforts, he was declared brain dead on Friday, as confirmed by Lakewood Police Department spokesman John Romero.
The incident unfolded when Ward's girlfriend noticed something amiss and saw Winston biting Ward’s hand. She immediately contacted authorities, who responded swiftly. Ward began exhibiting severe symptoms, including vomiting and losing consciousness, leading to his untimely death.
While Gila monsters are known to be venomous, their bites typically cause intense pain and temporary paralysis but are rarely fatal. Jefferson County coroner's officials have yet to release details on whether Ward's death was directly caused by the venom or other medical conditions.
Following the incident, Ward’s girlfriend surrendered the lizards to Lakewood animal control officer Leesha Crookston. The lizards were later sent to Reptile Gardens in South Dakota, along with 26 spiders of various species taken from the home.
Authorities remind pet owners that while Gila monsters can be fascinating, they require specialized care and handling to prevent such unfortunate events.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
