Exotic Incident #1751
Incident Date:
05/30/2012
Location:
Jolo, WV - USA
Facility Name:
Church of the Lord Jesus
Facility Type:
Exotic Pet (E)
Incident Category:
Escape/Attack resulting in human death (HD)
Species:
Reptiles
Animal:
Timber Rattlesnake
Animal disposition:
Summary:
A “serpent-handling” West Virginia pastor died after his rattlesnake bit him during a church service. Pastor Mack Wolford believed Christians should handle snakes to test their faith. He also saw his father die of a snakebite when he was a teenager. Snake-handling is legal in West Virginia.
Action take by Born Free USA:
Notes: