FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — Just hours before Jeffrey Liebowitz was bitten by one of the world’s deadliest snakes, he was freely handling the reptile, taking to Facebook with advice on how to keep the creature at bay. “There’s no need to be so scared of them if you just know their limitations and you use […]
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — Just hours before Jeffrey Liebowitz was bitten by one of the world’s deadliest snakes, he was freely handling the reptile, taking to Facebook with advice on how to keep the creature at bay.
“There’s no need to be so scared of them if you just know their limitations and you use them,” Liebowitz said on a short video posted at 7:50 p.m. on Thursday. By 2 a.m., that same inland taipan sent him to the hospital, where he remains in what police say is critical condition.
A viewer tipped News13 to a Facebook page belonging to a man by the same name that shows photos and videos of the man believed to be Liebowitz handling many different types of snakes, including several known to be venomous.
News13 has asked the viewer for permission to show the compelling footage, but has yet to hear back.
The page features dozens of short-form clips, known as “reels,” depicting the man believed to be Liebowitz free handling several of the animals — a dangerous method that organizations including the African Snakebite Institute, Rattlesnake Conservancy and state Department of Natural Resources discourage.
“Often if one is calm when working with a snake and does not restrict its movement too much, the snake may be reluctant to bite. However, these animals are still unpredictable and at any moment the situation can turn bad,” the African Snakebite Institute says on its website.
The man depicted on Liebowitz’s Facebook page knew this.
“They have nothing in their DNA whatsoever that says, ‘be friends with humans,’ he said in Aug. 31 post showing him petting an inland taipan. “I just want to get him used to my presence.”
Florence police who went to Liebowitz’s home encountered “substandard living conditions” and dangerous snakes in plastic totes with holes big enough that they could escape.
Police began investigating on Friday after he was bitten in the webbing between his index finger and thumb, a police report said. The snake, one of 14 venomous snakes he owned, is native to Australia and is known for having the most potent and dangerous venom among its species.
The police report said due to a prior inland taipan snake bite in recent months, the antivenom was in short supply. However, Leibowitz’s father told police that his son had been given antivenom. Police said Tuesday morning that he was still in serious condition at a hospital.
During their investigation, police talked with an EMS supervisor, who said Leibowitz was known on social media for having a large collection of venomous snakes in his home. Officers then looked at videos Leibowitz had posted on Facebook, which included one where he asked if anyone had antivenom for an inland taipan, reports said. He then said he would be at McLeod Hospital.
As authorities tried to figure out what to do with the snakes, Dillman said it was unlikely that any zoo or reptile sanctuary would accept them because of their conditions and unknown diseases they may have. Officers contacted multiple organizations, including River Banks Zoo, Alligator Adventure, Reptile Lagoon, Edisto Island Serpentarium, and South of the Border. However, none would accept them due to the safety risks they could pose.
Eventually, the snakes were secured and Leibowitz’s father gave Florence police permission to have them euthanized.
The man shown on Liebowitz’s Facebook page often spoke in hushed tones to the snakes, calling them “cute” and admiring how much they enjoyed cuddling.
“She’s fine. She’s a good girl. I love her,” he said on Aug. 31 as a South Pacific rattlesnake coiled around his arm. “Unfortunately, sometimes she tries to bite, but we’ve talked about it … They all give what they get. Give them lots of love, that’s what you’re going to get.”