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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — Encounters with rattlesnakes have been more common this summer with dry conditions in the mountains, experts said, as Cottonwood Heights residents reported several recent encounters along one hillside neighborhood.
Cottonwood Heights Police responded to the latest sighting Tuesday - two rattlers in a back yard near a house near 3700 East and 8200 South. One snake slithered away. An officer captured the other.
"We took it, I guess, into custody and then safely transported it up into the foothills, where we released it back there," Sgt. Gary Young said Wednesday.
On Sunday, Dave Lyman - a neighbor to the property where the latest snake drama unfolded - said he, too, came too close to a rattler. It was stalking outside his backdoor. He heard the rattle before he saw it.
"Yeah, it was just right there," Lyman said, pointing to the brick patio. "I mean, people have small children up here, and we've got pets. And so what you worry about is that they'll not be scared of them."
Other neighbors told KSL of close calls within the past month where a woman was trapped in a tree house by a rattlesnake below, and where a dog was bit by a rattler.
All of the things they used to tell about tourniquets and - if you remember the cowboy shows of cutting and sucking out the venom - we've learned those don't work.
–Larry McGill, veterinary pathologist at Animal Reference Pathology
The dog's owner was not home Wednesday to confirm the details of the latter snake story.
"It's probably because it's pretty dry up there, maybe the food issues aren't as good in the foothills and they won't stay up there, so now they're trying to work their way down where they can find food and it's in our neighborhoods," said Larry McGill, veterinary pathologist at Animal Reference Pathology. "They have to have a little bit of water, too."
McGill said his recent conversations with numerous valley veterinarians suggested rattlesnake attacks on pets were up significantly this year. He said there is a vaccine for dogs - which is not currently the case for people. He encouraged residents who live in bench locations to pursue those vaccinations.
Still, McGill said the vaccine only buys time for the animals, which still need full medical attention after a bite.
Humans also require urgent care after rattler bites, so that the venom and bacteria from the snake's mouth does not cause affected tissue to necrotize.
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The warmer weather is coming to Utah, and that has a lot of people looking to get outside and enjoy it. But people aren't the only ones out there enjoying the sun."All of the things they used to tell about tourniquets and - if you remember the cowboy shows of cutting and sucking out the venom - we've learned those don't work," McGill said.
Experts caution people working in their yards to be careful around large rocks and rock walls, to watch when reaching, and to not accidentally sneak up on the snakes.
"Rattle some bushes and make some noise a little bit to make sure that if there is a snake there, they know you're there," McGill said.
Young advised homeowners to contact police when they spot rattlesnakes. If animal control isn't able to respond, lay officers do have some training on how to capture the snakes.
"We have a pole that has a loop," Young described. "You can use it for dogs and cats, and you can also use it for snakes."
Young himself said he had responded to a rattlesnake call once, where two rattlers were in a garage.
"I'm always nervous," Young said. "I'm not a big fan of snakes at all."
