Residents of Attleboro, Massachusetts, are being cautioned after two dogs were reportedly bitten by a venomous snake, believed to be a copperhead. The snake sighting occurred near the Ten Mile River by Milk Street, as city officials advised against walking or running in the area without keeping dogs close, Boston.com reported.
Although typically found from southern New England to Illinois and down to Georgia, copperheads are a rarity in Massachusetts, categorized as endangered in the state. After biting two dogs, city officials took to Facebook, warning to avoid tall grass and leaf piles, where the snake was found hiding, NBC Boston notes.
Copperheads can be identified by their reddish-brown heads and hourglass-banded patterns along their skin, though they are sometimes mistaken for the non-venomous milksnakes which boast a similar pattern. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife describes the copperhead as "one of Massachusetts’ most mysterious and rare snakes," indicating the improbability of accidental encounters for most people, as detailed by Boston.com.
Despite their rarity, officials remind the public that if a copperhead feels threatened, it may "move quickly, vibrate their tail rapidly, and strike repeatedly." These snakes are "rarely" aggressive towards humans, with most bites occurring accidentally, according to Boston.com's report. The venomous bites necessitate immediate medical attention due to their painful and potentially tissue-damaging nature, although they are not typically fatal. Directly after being bitten, one should refrain from attempting movie-inspired treatments, such as using ice or tourniquets, and from taking painkillers like aspirin or ibuprofen. Instead, keeping calm and the bitten area above the heart is recommended while seeking help, as advised by Attleboro fire officials.
For questions or concerns, Attleboro residents are invited to reach out to the city's health department at 508-223-2222, ext. 3241. City officials also encourage anyone who spots a copperhead to contact the city's animal control department, not to engage with or kill the snake, but rather to provide a safe distance between it and themselves while reporting the sighting.
