The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says as many as 150,000 dogs are bitten by venomous snakes each year in the United States. In the rattlesnake hot spot of Arizona, emergency veterinarian Dr. Sarah Carotenuto says the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson treats four to six dogs daily for rattlesnake bites, along with an occasional cat. Now, training programs to protect canines from poisonous snakes are offered around the US, especially in the Western deserts, woods, and grasslands that are home to western diamondback rattlesnakes, per the AP. The snakes can grow to be more than 5 feet long and strike in less than a second when they feel threatened.
There are also classes from Illinois to Florida to guard animals against eastern diamondbacks, timber rattlers, and other venomous snakes. Carotenuto said the snakebite survival rate for pets is 94% with quick treatment, which can cost thousands of dollars, depending on how much antivenom and hospitalization is needed. Carotenuto, who teaches at the University of Arizona's College of Veterinary Medicine, said she's participating in a research study there into whether rattlesnake-aversion training works, and which method is most effective.
Like dog trainer JJ Belcher of Sublime Canine in Tucson, Arizona, most trainers insist that the use of an electronic collar is necessary to ensure a dog will avoid poisonous snakes; the dogs get a quick zap when they start to approach a snake. "It's a very fast and effective form of training," says Belcher, who has traveled around the Western US for more than two decades teaching rattlesnake avoidance to thousands of pet and working dogs. He acknowledges the growing debate about the use of electronic training collars, a method that the American Humane Society has opposed as cruel. The ASPCA doesn't explicitly oppose electronic collars, but it insists they be used correctly.
Belcher said he has developed an alternative positive-reinforcement program for clients who are squeamish about electronic collars, but nobody has wanted to pay the $2,500 he would charge for the multiple sessions. A single visit with the collar costs $125.
Other tips to prevent dog encounters with snakes, gleaned from trainers and veterinarians:
- Learn about snakes in your area. Venomous snakes exist across the US, with various rattler species not only in the West but as far east as New York and North Carolina.
- Clear your yard of long grass and other foliage or debris that can attract small rodents hunted by snakes. Trimming back growth can eliminate hiding places.
- Stay on well-worn trails while hiking and keep your dog on a leash.
- Don't let your guard down, even if your dog has had avoidance training. A viper can surprise and attack a person or pet without warning.
- Seek emergency care immediately if your dog is bitten, as the venom will move quickly through its body, destroying tissue.
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