Hope He's Insured: Finger Bitten Off During Health Care Protest
Ventura County authorities say a man protesting against health care reform had his finger bitten off during a fight with a demonstrator who favors reform.
Sheriff's Capt. Frank O'Hanlon says about 100 people were rallying for health care reform Wednesday night at a Thousand Oaks street corner, when one of them walked across the street to confront about 25 counter-protesters.
O'Hanlon says the two men got into an argument and fistfight, during which the
pro-reformer bit off the left pinky of a 65-year-old man opposing health care reform.
The victim retrieved his detached finger and went to a hospital.
A hospital spokeswoman says doctors reattached the half of the finger that was bitten off, and the man was sent home that night. She says the victim, who opposes health care reform, had Medicare, a government run health insurance program.
O'Hanlon says the finger-biter fled but authorities have a good description.
Next time maybe they'll stick to finger-wagging instead of biting.