Almost Not So Merry
Rattlesnake bites Wolf during Christmas Eve patrol
American Border Patrol -- December 25
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Photo of Wolf taken last Sunday – 12/18/11
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Winter is not the time for rattlesnakes in Southern Arizona, or so we thought.
Yesterday while on a patrol of the border, Wolf, the largest of ABP's seven German Shepherds was bitten by a Diamondback rattlesnake. It was a big snake that bit him on the neck as he sniffed at a mesquite.
Snakes are supposed to be inactive in this part of Arizona from October to March and it has been unusually cold. "We do our summer patrols early in the morning to avoid snakes," Spencer said, "but I never expected to encounter a rattler in the dead of winter."
Spencer said Wolf usually leads the way as six German Shepherds patrol the border (one is always left home for security). "I looked up and saw Wolf shaking this huge snake in his mouth -- it was dead," Spencer reported. Moments later he noticed Wolf breathing hard and panting. "I knew then he had been bitten."
Wes Fleming, ABP's facilities manager, rushed Wolf to the Coronado Vet hospital as Spencer returned home with the other dogs. Thankfully, the vet was able to administer snake antivenom in time and Wolf is recovering. He will return home this morning -- his buddy George really misses him!
 Treatment alone cost over $1,000 -- if you want to help pay for Wolf's medical bills click here. |
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