Reptile Dysfunction

Man bit by snake he was trying to kill

The story doesn't get into details but for the snake to bite him in his hand he had to be too close to it than he should have been unless it was clearly dead.  They sell snake shot for a reason and a long handled shovel has the key term "long-handle" as proof that it reaches far away from where you are holding it.  If I decided I had to kill a snake I'd make sure I did it from a distance.  Even a machete gets your body too close to the snake for safety unless you are skilled at the task.