New Forest dog walkers asked to be vigilant as hibernation ends for adders
They can be quite hard to spot in the grassy and wooded areas
Last updated 9th May 2021
Dog walkers in the New Forest are being asked to be vigilant as adders are waking up from their hibernation.
There are often cases of our four legged friends being bitten by the snakes, which can be very dangerous.
It's being reported that up to three incidents have happened over the last month.
At this time of the year adders start to appear all over the New Forest so the advice is to keep dogs on leads where possible and stick to the main tracks.
The New Forest Commoners Defence Association says this will "help prevent disturbance to our native wildlife such as the Adder, our only venomous snake."
REALLY WORRYING TIME
Last June, Cocker Spaniel Pippin was bitten on the nose by an adder at Turf Hill.
His owner Ken from Downton was able to get him to the vet for emergency treatment and Pippin recovered.
He told Greatest Hits Radio:
"It was a really worrying time particularly for my children who adore him. We were able to take take a photograph of the snake and quickly identified it as an adder. Thanks to prompt treatment Pippin recovered fully but I'd warn everyone to be extra vigilant."