Mayor tells of heartbreak after wife was bitten by copperhead snake: 'Extreme pain'
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A North Carolina politician is spreading awareness for his wife after she was bitten by a copperhead snake in a terrifying incident this week.
Robert Burns, the mayor of Monroe, a city southeast of Charlotte, shared this tragic event in the X post on April 30.
“So… word was that my lovely wife was bitten by a large copperhead last night,” he began. “When it happened, we rushed him to the ER.”
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The Republican mayor said that, while his wife Lauren's priorities have settled, “they're not out of the woods yet.”
“He is in a lot of pain, probably more than I have ever seen him in,” Burns wrote.
Robert Burns has described the terrifying moment his wife was bitten near a wooded area on their property, prompting hours of medical attention. The actual snake is not shown. (Stock; @RobertBurns82 via X)
“We are a very busy family with a lot going on right now, but we really appreciate your prayers and thank you for all the support, texts, calls, emails and well wishes,” he added.
The copperhead snake is the most common and common venomous snake in the state, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website.
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“In many areas, including many metropolitan areas, it is the only venomous snake,” the site said. “Because they are so widespread and tolerant of living in close proximity to humans, copperheads are responsible for over 90% of all venomous snakebites in North Carolina.”
“He's in pain, probably more than I've ever seen him.”
Speaking to Fox News Digital on Friday, the mayor said his wife is currently “resting in bed as much as she can.”
“I have never seen him in constant pain before,” he said, “We have six children, and I have seen him with kidney stones. I've seen it all, and you're in a lot of pain right now.”
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Burns, known as “NC's mayor,” said the incident happened while he was grilling food while Lauren was talking to her father on the phone.
Lauren was walking along a rope in a wooded area on their property when she was bitten by the reptile.
Copperheads rely on camouflage to blend in with their surroundings, making them difficult to spot before mating. (Stock)
“All I heard was, 'Babe, it's not good, this is not good,' and I said, 'Are you okay?'” he recalls. “He ran around the house, and he was like, 'Babe, I think I got bitten by a snake.'
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Burns quickly used his cell phone flashlight and found two stab wounds to his left ankle.
“They were bleeding. They were big enough,” he said.
Copperhead snakes are the most common venomous snake in North Carolina, accounting for the most bites in the entire state. (Stock)
When Burns asked what kind of snake, his wife said it was probably a copperhead. They went back and found that he was probably guilty.
“This was about a 4-foot snake,” he said. “It was probably about the size of my wrist.”
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Burns added, “The second you see a copperhead, you know it's a copperhead, because it's copper-colored and has a pattern on its back, and it was big.”
The couple's 14-year-old daughter had just walked barefoot in the same area before being bitten, he said. He may have accidentally tripped over a snake.
These are the types of snakes that don't run,” Burns said. “The fugitives … stand still.”
Copperheads account for more than 90% of venomous snakebites in North Carolina, according to state officials. (Stock)
Doctors monitored Lauren for several hours, monitoring her vitals and consulting on poison control as the swelling spread from her foot up her leg.
Although the bite caused severe pain and swelling, his condition stabilized, and the family ultimately chose not to use anti-venom because of the potential risks. Lauren was discharged to recuperate at home, where they treated her for pain.
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Burns encourages people to be careful.
“Any snake bite, you want to take it seriously,” he said. “Because you never really know, especially when you're not looking.”
“Thank you very much for your support and help.”
