Man keeps cobra at home as a pet, ends up in hospital after being bitten
Iqbal in a hospital after being bitten by a pet cobra. Agamir Somoy.
Carpenter Iqbal Hossain, 45, used to keep a venomous cobra as a hobby. About three months ago, he rescued the snake after finding it trapped in a fishing net and brought it home. He made a separate wooden box for the snake and regularly fed it fish, frogs and other food. However, he is now fighting for his life in a hospital bed after being bitten by the very snake he kept as a hobby.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning, October 22, in Bhuiyarkandi village in Matlab Uttar upazila of Chandpur. As usual, Iqbal opened the box to feed the snake when it bit him. Later, suffering unbearable pain, he informed his wife, Rina Akter. With the help of local residents, he was taken to Matlab Uttar Upazila Health Complex, where doctors are administering antivenom. His wife said local residents later killed the snake.
Iqbal's wife, Rina Akter, said her husband was fond of keeping birds and raising various animals. A few months ago, he caught the snake in a wetland and brought it home. Despite her repeated requests not to keep it, her husband refused to listen. They had even argued over the matter. Eventually, he became seriously ill after being bitten by the snake.
Iqbal's brother, Islam Hossain, said family members and local residents had repeatedly urged him not to keep the snake. However, driven by his hobby, he ignored everyone's advice. Today, that same snake bit him, he added.
Dr. Md. Sabin Ishtiaq, a medical officer in the emergency department of Matlab Uttar Upazila Health Complex, said the patient was brought to the hospital at around 11:30 am on Thursday. His hand had swollen, and he showed symptoms of a venomous snakebite. Doctors quickly placed him under observation and prepared to administer antivenom. He is currently receiving antivenom treatment, but his condition remains critical.
He further said that anyone bitten by a venomous snake should go to a hospital immediately rather than seeking traditional healing rituals or treatment from a snakebite healer. Antivenom is available free of charge at government hospitals. Starting treatment promptly increases the chances of saving the patient's life.
