Current:Home > Contact-usA Colorado man is dead after a pet Gila monster bite-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
A Colorado man is dead after a pet Gila monster bite
View Date:2024-12-23 18:42:36
A Colorado man has died after being bitten by his pet Gila monster in what would be a rare death by one of the desert lizards if the creature’s venom turns out to have been the cause.
Christopher Ward, 34, was taken to a hospital shortly after being bitten by one of his two pet Gila monsters on Feb. 12. He was soon placed on life support and died Friday, Lakewood Police Department spokesman John Romero said Tuesday.
Jefferson County coroner’s officials declined Tuesday to comment on the death, including if tests showed yet whether Ward died from the pet’s venom or from some other medical condition.
Ward’s girlfriend handed over the lizard named Winston and another named Potato to Lakewood animal control officer Leesha Crookston and other officers the day after the bite.
Ward’s girlfriend told police she had heard something that “didn’t sound right” and entered a room to see Winston latched onto Ward’s hand, according to Crookston’s report.
She told officers Ward “immediately began exhibiting symptoms, vomiting several times and eventually passing out and ceasing to breathe,” according to the report.
Ward was placed on life support in a hospital. Within days, doctors had declared him brain dead.
Ward’s girlfriend reportedly told officers they bought Winston at a reptile exhibition in Denver in October and Potato from a breeder in Arizona in November, according to the animal control officer’s report. Told that Gila monsters were illegal in Lakewood, the woman told officers she wanted them out of her house as soon as possible, the report said.
Officers working with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources sent the lizards to Reptile Gardens outside Rapid City, South Dakota. Twenty-six spiders of different species also were taken from the home to a nearby animal shelter.
Gila monsters are venomous reptiles that naturally inhabit parts of the southwestern U.S. and neighboring areas of Mexico. Their bites can cause intense pain and make their victims pass out but normally aren’t deadly.
veryGood! (7863)
Related
- Nearly 80,000 pounds of Costco butter recalled for missing 'Contains Milk statement': FDA
- As an opioids scourge devastates tribes in Washington, lawmakers advance a bill to provide relief
- This diet swap can cut your carbon footprint and boost longevity
- PHOTOS: What it's like to be 72 — the faces (and wisdom) behind the age
- Round 2 in the Trump-vs-Mexico matchup looks ominous for Mexico
- As an opioids scourge devastates tribes in Washington, lawmakers advance a bill to provide relief
- Texas police arrest suspect in abduction of 12-year-old girl who was found safe after 8 days
- Missouri governor commutes prison sentence for ex-Kansas City Chiefs coach who seriously injured child in drunken-driving wreck
- The Bachelorette's Desiree Hartsock Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Siegfried
- Malaysia may renew hunt for missing flight MH370, 10 years after its disappearance
Ranking
- Daniele Rustioni to become Metropolitan Opera’s principal guest conductor
- Caleb Williams is facing colossal expectations. The likely No. 1 NFL draft pick isn't scared.
- Inside the story of the notorious Menendez brothers case
- Caleb Williams is facing colossal expectations. The likely No. 1 NFL draft pick isn't scared.
- Kate Spade Outlet’s Early Black Friday Sale – Get a $259 Bag for $59 & More Epic Deals Starting at $25
- People seeking drug treatment can't take their pets. This Colorado group finds them temporary homes.
- 'Everything is rising at a scary rate': Why car and home insurance costs are surging
- Writer for conservative media outlet surrenders to face Capitol riot charges
Recommendation
-
Wind-whipped wildfire near Reno prompts evacuations but rain begins falling as crews arrive
-
'Everything is rising at a scary rate': Why car and home insurance costs are surging
-
North Carolina is among GOP states to change its voting rules. The primary will be a test
-
Texas police arrest suspect in abduction of 12-year-old girl who was found safe after 8 days
-
Caitlin Clark shanks tee shot, nearly hits fans at LPGA's The Annika pro-am
-
South Carolina Poised to Transform Former Coal-Fired Plant Into a Gas Utility as Public Service Commission Approves Conversion
-
Actor Will Forte says completed Coyote vs. Acme film is likely never coming out
-
Item believed to be large balloon discovered by fishermen off Alaskan coast