Why should dog owners keep their pets on leads to protect adders?

Dog owners are asked to keep their pets on leads because adders are in rapid decline, and dogs are at risk of being bitten, especially in spring when adders bask in the sun.

What happened to a golden retriever in Kendal, Cumbria, recently?

A golden retriever named Connie was bitten by an adder in Kendal, Cumbria, and required anti-venom to treat the severe facial swelling that developed.

Are adders in danger of extinction in the UK?

Yes, adders face extinction and could disappear from the British countryside altogether by 2032, with populations already extinct in some Midland counties.

Home / Environment / Adder Bites: Dog Owners Urged to Leash Pets

Adder Bites: Dog Owners Urged to Leash Pets

22 Apr

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Summary

Dog owners are asked to keep pets on leads to protect declining adder populations.
A golden retriever required anti-venom after an adder bite in Cumbria.
Adders, protected by law, face extinction risk by 2032.
Charity warns of adders' steep population decline in the Midlands.

Adder Bites: Dog Owners Urged to Leash Pets

Dog owners across the UK are being advised to keep their pets on leads to safeguard the adder population, which is experiencing a severe and rapid decline. Spring poses a particular risk as adders emerge from hibernation to bask in the sun, increasing the chance of encounters with dogs.

A recent incident in Kendal, Cumbria, highlighted this danger when a golden retriever named Connie was bitten by an adder. Although initially appearing tired, the dog soon developed significant facial swelling. Her owners faced a challenge in sourcing anti-venom, with the nearest facility located in Manchester, though it was eventually obtained from Windermere.