Rattlesnake reports put Westminster dog owners on alert

Dog owners come to Westminster’s open space to let their pets run, sniff and explore. In recent weeks, some have also been watching the grass more closely.

“We were just on a walk out here for about 30 minutes, and we saw two rattlesnakes coming up the trail,” said Ross Wigington, a local who was walking his dogs in the open space. “There’s a ton of them for sure, and they are not small.” 

Multiple rattlesnake sightings and reports of dog bites have raised concerns at Westminster Hills Open Space, a popular recreation area with trails, wooded areas and a large off-leash dog park. Kate Boyd, a reptile expert from the Reptile and Amphibian Center of the Rockies, said rattlesnakes do not usually bite dogs unless they feel threatened or surprised.

“Our rattlesnake friends love to hang out in bushes and rocky outcroppings, especially during the higher heat points of the day,” Boyd said.

That can create trouble for curious dogs. Boyd said dogs often sniff or walk through the same brushy areas where snakes may be resting, startling the animals and increasing the chance of a bite.

Boyd recommended keeping dogs on a leash when possible and avoiding tall grass, rocky outcroppings and areas away from established trails. If visitors encounter a rattlesnake, Boyd said they should move slowly and create as much distance as possible.

“There are still some rumors floating around that some rattlesnakes will chase people to defend themselves, but that is completely a myth,” Boyd said. “They just want their space. They want us to get away from them, and often when humans get bit by rattlesnakes, it’s because they’re trying to interact with the animal.”

Although rattlesnake encounters can be frightening for dog owners, Boyd said the snakes are part of the local ecosystem and should not be removed from their habitat. 

“These animals are very used to their own territories and are very used to their home ranges,” she said. “If they are moved outside of that, the chance they’re going to survive quickly diminishes.”

Reports of rattlesnakes biting dogs gained traction on social media and in local news, but area veterinarian Rachel Medley said the recent wave may be slowing. Medley previously told CBS News she had seen eight dogs that were bitten. More recently, she said she has not seen additional bite cases after one busy weekend.

“I don’t know if it’s just because people are watching out or it’s just a coincidence, but that weekend that we saw two in one day, we have not seen one after that,” Medley said. “There have been several sightings, but no actual bite encounters since then.”

Medley said rattlesnake activity is usually highest at the start of summer. As summer winds down, snakes may appear less often or shift to different times of day, especially when they are seeking shade during hotter weather.

Still, she said dog owners should adjust when they know there is a risk.

“Any time there’s any kind of known danger, it’s wise to adjust to that, especially since we don’t really have a way to control where the rattlesnakes are or how they act,” Medley said. 

Because rattlesnake bites can be expensive and dangerous to treat, Medley said dog owners should consider snake-avoidance training and keep pets close in areas where snakes have been seen.

“You got to think of the mental health of the dog, but it’s probably a good idea to just stay on the more well-traveled public areas for now,” Medley said “And if you do go in the open space, stay on a long leash and be very watchful.”

Westminster officials say they are trying to balance recreation with wildlife protection. Aric Otzelberger, Westminster’s director of Parks, Recreation & Libraries, said the city’s role is to help visitors understand what they may encounter outdoors.

“As stewards of the land, it’s contingent on us to provide good information on rattlesnake awareness,” Otzelberger said.

He said the city wants people to make informed choices about how they use open space. For dog owners, that includes using voice and sight commands and making sure dogs do not stray too far from trails.

“It’s safe to recreate here, but it’s that being mindful and there are things you can do to manage your potential risks,” Otzelberger said. 

Otzelberger said Westminster is also working on an ecosystem management plan for its properties, with the goal of balancing recreation and wildlife habitat.

“We’re in the process of doing an ecosystem management plan right now for all our properties, trying to strike that inevitable balance for plants, people and wildlife,” he said.

Despite this, rattlesnake activity is still a concern for dog owners in the area. 

“You definitely want to make sure the dogs stay on the trail and keep them close and keep your eyes forward,” Wigington said. “It’s very dangerous. There’s a lot of them out here.”