Stepping out of her Alpharetta garage, a local woman landed in the hospital after a venomous copperhead lunged from her doormat and bit her foot. She received antivenom in a nearby emergency room and spent two nights in the hospital before being discharged to recover at home.
How It Happened
According to WSB‑TV, Shirley Sorohan told Channel 2 that the snake was coiled up on the doormat when she stepped out, and it sank its fangs into her foot. "I've never felt pain like that," she told the station. WSB‑TV reports she was given a dose of antivenom, stayed in the hospital for two nights and is now recovering. The station also noted that Poison Control estimates roughly 500 Georgians will be bitten by snakes this year, and Sorohan said her husband killed the copperhead with a shovel.
Copperheads And Backyard Risk
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources notes that copperheads are the venomous snakes Georgians are most likely to encounter. Their camouflage and preference for leaf litter, rock piles and sheds often bring them close to suburban homes, which makes accidental bites to feet and lower legs more common during warmer months. While copperhead envenomation is rarely fatal, the agency reports that bites can cause severe pain and significant swelling and may require hospital monitoring and antivenom when clinicians decide it is needed.
What Poison Centers Say
America's Poison Centers, which maintains the National Poison Data System, reports in its annual summaries that venomous snakebites lead to thousands of medical evaluations across the country each year, while deaths remain uncommon. Poison centers advise calling Poison Help at 1‑800‑222‑1222 or heading to an emergency department right away after any suspected venomous bite so medical staff can determine whether antivenom and hospital monitoring are necessary. The organization notes that early hospital evaluation and quick involvement of poison specialists improve outcomes.
How To Avoid A Repeat
Wildlife officials recommend basic yard housekeeping to cut down on snake surprises: keep grass trimmed, remove brush and wood piles, and clear leaf litter away from doors and walkways. They also suggest checking shoes and doormats before stepping outside. If you do spot a snake, give it plenty of space, keep children and pets away and contact a licensed wildlife removal service instead of trying to handle it yourself.
Legal Note
WSB‑TV reports that under Georgia law, most native non‑venomous snakes are protected, while residents are allowed to take a venomous snake that poses an immediate threat on private property. Wildlife officials still urge people to avoid confronting snakes when possible and to rely on professional removal services in order to prevent additional bites or the mistaken killing of protected species.
Sorohan is recovering after treatment, and her close call serves as a seasonal reminder to look where you step. Local health officials say the first moves after any snakebite should be rapid medical evaluation and contacting poison control.
