Aug 21, 2002 By Patty Shultz 4 min read

SOUTH CONNELLSVILLE – Borough residents are scanning their lawns and areas where their pets are kept after being advised of several rattlesnakes being spotted near wooded sites. “I’m looking around a little bit more before I let the dogs out,” said councilman Guy Napolillo after a 31/2-foot-long rattler was found on the front lawn of his McCormick Avenue property.

Last week, Napolillo’s son, Mike, stepped out of his truck and went in search of a rattling sound, he thought was being emanated by a locust in a tree just a few feet from the driveway.

Instead, he found the black-striped reptile coiled under a tree was, in fact, making the noise.

“He turned around and went the other direction,” said Napolillo of his son.

A telephone call was placed to the borough police department, which disposed of the snake when the Pennsylvania Fish Commission could not be reached for assistance.

Several sightings of the timber rattlesnakes have been reported to borough officials. During the recent council meeting, street department foreman Carl Schroyer said workers had spotted snakes in the area of Wine and Fifth streets, while eight homeowners in the same locale had made similar reports.

Like Napolillo’s property, Wine and Fifth streets are located near Casparis – a wooded, mountainous region on the outskirts of the borough.

Fred Bruckman, president of the Tri-State Herpetological Society, said the dry weather is prompting the rattlesnakes to move from their mountain nests in search of water.

“We haven’t had a lot of rain this year and that’s why they are moving down to the lower areas,” he said.

Several streams make their way through the Casparis area and properties along McCormick Avenue, but those, too, are low due to the sparse rainfall.

A reservoir utilized by Pennsylvania-American Water Co. is located in the area of Wine and Fifth streets, where the borough workers spotted the water-seeking snakes.

Casparis at one time was a popular area for snake-hunters.

Bruckman, meanwhile, said rattlesnakes are unlikely to bite a human or animal unless provoked or reacting to someone or something stepping on them.

“They really just want to be left alone,” he said.

Rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal, said Bruckman, but treatment is vital for both humans and animals.

It is recommended that 911 be contacted as soon as possible after a bite occurs and the victim be transported to a hospital facility.

Other precautionary measures include:

– Have the victim lie down with the affected limb lower than the heart. Keep the limb immobilized.

Treat for shock and preserve body heat.

– Remove any restricting items, including boots, rings or bracelets from the extremity that has been bitten. Apply a light constricting band about 2 inches above and below the bite.

the bands on either side of a joint such as above and below the knee or elbow.

Bruckman additionally advises not to cut the bite as additional tissue damage could occur or apply a tourniquet, which could result in the loss of the limb.

“The best advice is to get to a hospital where they can give the antivenin,” he said.

A veterinarian should see animals if bitten by a rattlesnake.

If a snake is found, use a snow shovel to pick it up and place it in a plastic garbage can with a lid and contact the state Fish Commission for assistance in removing the reptile. The container should be kept in a safe area and out of the sunlight.

Bruckman said it is illegal to kill a rattlesnake, as they are currently deemed as a species of special consideration – a status listing prior to endangered.

“There is a provision in the law, that if there is an immediate danger to humans, they can be destroyed,” said Bruckman.

Napolillo, meanwhile, said borough regulations prohibit the firing of a weapon within the confines of the municipality and recommends that anyone finding a rattlesnake should contact 911, the local police department or the state Fish Commission for assistance, if necessary.