ACWORTH, Ga. -- A 22-year-old man was taken to the hospital after being bitten by a copperhead snake Friday morning, police said.
According to Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services, the man's co-worker, Conor Smith, said the two were clearing brush in the backyard of a home at 4430 Whiteleaf Way when they saw the snake in the back of their truck.
"It was pretty startling. It was about two-and-a-half feet long," Smith said.
Smith said his co-worker then attempted to pick up the snake when he was bitten on the index finger of his right hand.
"He could feel his finger going numb," Smith said.
Smith said the man was trying to get the snake away from the house, where there were kids.
Paramedics evaluated the man's swollen hand and determined that he needed to be taken to the hospital to receive anti-venom for his bite.
According to Tim Cavender of the Cherokee County Fire Department, the victim was in good spirits despite the swelling.
Derrick Lawrence of Cherokee County Animal Services headed to the scene to remove the snake.
PHOTOS: Copperhead snake bites man in Acworth
Cherokee County authorities said that a recent survey shows the population of copperheads, which are venomous, is on the rise in Georgia. That coincides with a decrease king snakes, which are non-venomous.
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