Rattlesnake Bite Sends Lakewood Man To Hospital

JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO – Richard Boggs of Lakewood spent four days in the hospital after being bitten on the ankle by a rattlesnake at a dog park April 7. But the real bite has been the hospital bills, which are heading upwards of $10,000 for his stay, he said.

Boggs was walking through the Westminster Dog Park at 104th Avenue and Simms Street when he felt pain in his ankle.

"[T]he last thing on my mind was a rattlesnake," he told KDVR last week. "I felt a sharp prick and I did a double-take in my mind. I didn't even realize I had been bit at that moment." The snake that bit him was about five feet long, and left a painful wound that a "goes all the way up the back of my leg," Boggs said.

Rattlesnakes leave their winter dens as early as mid-March and can sometimes appear on trails and open spaces from April through September, local ecologists say.

Rattlesnakes are more active in the mornings and evenings and can be found sunning themselves on the trail during summer time. During the heat of the summer mid-day, they are less likely to be out, Broomfield Parks and Open Space said.

Boggs said he got away from the snake, called 911 and sat down, the TV station reported. And that's exactly what he should have done.

Here are tips from Broomfield Open Space if you or a pet are bitten by a rattler:

• Call 911, keep the victim calm and still.
• Have the victim lay/sit down with the bite wound below the heart.
• Remove any rings, watches, etc. that could constrict swelling.
• NEVER apply a tourniquet, slice the bite open, ice the wound, or attempt to suck out the venom.

Boggs was taken by emergency workers to Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette.

That's where the medical meter started running. Vials of anti-venom cost $2,300 each, Boggs said on his GoFundMe page. He ended up in the hospital for four days and has now returned to his Lakewood home.

"Anyone who can help me would be much appreciated," Boggs said.

The best way to avoid being bitten by a rattlesnake is to be prepared.

1. Wear closed toed shoes.
2. Stay on designated trails.
3. Keep dogs on leash at all times.
4. Be aware of your surroundings.

However, if you do encounter a rattler–or hear one–here are the best actions to take Broomfield Open Space said.

1. Remain calm, do not make any sudden movements.
2. Stop walking and determine the snake's location.
3. Slowly back away from the snake.
4. Give the snake time and space to move along on its own.
5. If the snake does not move on, leave the area and choose another path.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.