Dog Survives Three Rattlesnake Strikes on Mountain Trail

A golden retriever named Hank narrowly survived a rattlesnake attack on a mountain hike in California on February 28, 2024. His owner, Nicole Isaacs, had let Hank and his brother off-leash, not anticipating a snake encounter so early in the year.

Hank was struck three times on the nose by the rattlesnake. He immediately began vomiting and became paralyzed, prompting a desperate attempt to reach help miles away with no cell service.

A passerby assisted in carrying Hank down the mountain. It took over an hour to reach the road and another two hours to get to a veterinary clinic. Hank received multiple antivenom doses, but his condition worsened, necessitating the acquisition of plasma from another clinic.

After several days hospitalized, Hank showed slow improvement. His owner described the week following the bite as the longest of her life, filled with worry and uncertainty. Hank eventually began to recover, showing signs like wagging his tail and picking up his favorite toy.

Weeks later, Hank made a full recovery, though he bears scars from the fang marks. Isaacs shared Hank's story on TikTok, where the video went viral, serving as a warning to other dog owners about the dangers of rattlesnakes and the importance of leash use.