Several dogs were bitten by rattlesnakes in a Westminster open space over the weekend as hot summer weather drove both residents and snakes outside, city officials said.
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Park rangers received reports of three dogs being bitten by rattlesnakes at Westminster Hills Open Space, city spokesperson Sara Stiehl said. Staff members were not called to respond to those bites, but rangers received the information from another trail user, she said.
Westminster Hills is a popular spot for dog owners in the north metro, who often use the open space’s 470-acre off-leash natural area to let their dogs play and roam freely, according to Westminster officials. The open space contains more than 1,000 acres of rolling prairie and panoramic mountain views, according to city officials.
But the natural area isn’t just for visitors. It’s also home to varied wildlife, from rattlesnakes to a pair of burrowing owls recently spotted nesting, according to the city.
“In general, rattlesnake activity is very common at WHOS and around Westminster,” Stiehl said. “There’s always an increase in rattlesnake sightings in the summer months.”
Not all bites are reported to Westminster dispatchers, park rangers or animal control, so there’s no way to confirm the total number of incidents each year, she said.
Rattlesnakes are most active in the mornings and evenings, and enjoy basking in the sun on Westminster pavement or trails, city officials wrote on social media.
Snakes are often heard before they are seen, city officials said. It’s best to stay alert and keep the music off so their warning rattle can be heard.
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“If you encounter a rattlesnake, freeze in place to reduce the threat you pose,” officials said. “Slowly back away from the snake once you locate it. Rattlesnakes can strike to a distance of half their body length, so it’s important to put at least five feet between yourself and the snake.”
Rattlesnakes aren’t the only slithery animal hiding in Colorado’s grass. Westminster officials also recently warned residents of a bullsnake hanging around Big Dry Creek near City Park, a snake often mistaken for a rattler.
Staying in short grass and on trails is the easiest way to avoid a snake encounter, city officials said.
Those bitten by a snake should call 911 or an emergency vet immediately, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
“Though usually not fatal, a rattlesnake bite can nevertheless be very painful, and it should always be considered a medical emergency,” state wildlife officials wrote on a webpage dedicated to the species.
Rattlesnakes are fairly common across most of Colorado, except in the high mountains, state wildlife officials said. They exist in nearly every habitat and have been spotted at up to 9,500 feet in Colorado.
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