Copperhead Bites Dog In 2nd Snake Attack In 2 Weeks In Somerset County

PEAPACK AND GLADSTONE, NJ — A second venomous copperhead snake bite in the past 2 weeks was reported in Somerset County.

The Peapack and Gladstone Police issued an alert on Tuesday after multiple sightings including a bite was reported.

"There have been some sightings of a venomous snake within Liberty Park," said Peapack And Gladstone Police Department.

On Friday, Aug. 4, a resident reported walking his golden retriever in Liberty Park at 181 Main St. in Peapack.

After he got home he noticed some sort of inflammation on the dog's paw. The vet did blood work which came back with venom in the dog's blood, said Peapack And Gladstone Police Sgt. Thomas Scanlon.

On Saturday, Aug. 5, two more residents said they were walking in the park on the bridge when they say they saw a copperhead snake that slithered off, said Scanlon.

The dog is doing well as of Tuesday and the two walkers were not injured, said Scanlon.

"Please keep your pets on a leash when walking with them and be aware of your surroundings. If anyone is bitten by a snake or their pet is bitten, please contact the Police Department," wrote Peapack And Gladstone Police Department.

NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s snake biologist was sent photos of snakes at the park by a borough park employee and in those images, the snakes were identified as non-venomous northern watersnakes.

"NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s snake expert spoke with the employee, who could not state with certainty whether either of the two snakes he saw (the northern watersnakes) had bitten the dog," NJ DEP Senior Press Officer Caryn Shinske told Patch.

NJDEP also looked into the bloodwork done on the dog.

"It is unclear if the bloodwork done on the dog is able to differentiate the venom as snake venom or a venom released by biting insects such as bees, wasps or spiders, all of which could cause the type of injury and symptoms the dog was experiencing," said Shinske.

"If someone has a photo of the snake(s) reportedly seen there, please share it so we can have a biologist review the image to determine if the snake(s) seen is, indeed, a venomous species. People may also report such incidents via 1-877-WARN-DEP," said Shinske.

Bridgewater Attack

Another snake bite was previously reported in late July. A Bridgewater resident was bitten twice in her feet by a copperhead snake and hospitalized for four days. Read More: Copperhead Snake Bite Hospitalizes Bridgewater Resident

There are two types of venomous snakes known in the New Jersey area - Timber Rattlesnakes and Northern Copperheads.

From 1999 to 2023, there have been 16 reported venomous snake bite occurrences to humans in New Jersey that NJ Fish & Wildlife staff are aware of, NJ DEP Senior Press Officer Caryn Shinske said.

However, those are just the reported cases as hospitals are not required to report such incidents nor are New Jersey doctors necessarily experienced in identifying venomous snakes or venomous snake bites. Read More: What's Your Chance Of Being Bitten By A Venomous Snake In New Jersey?

The Northern Copperhead Snake likes to live in rocky fields, berry thickets, woodlands, farmlands, and even old mulch piles.

Copperhead snakes are two shades of copper or a reddish brown, the lighter background color with the darker pattern forming an hourglass shape, wider bands on the sides of the snake and narrower bands across the back.

The head is a solid copper color. Young copperheads have a yellow-tipped tail.

A Timber Rattlesnake can be yellow or light or black or dark.

"Regardless of color, the Timber Rattlesnake has a unique pattern (the darker color). It is often in the shape of irregular blotches along the neck nearest the head and becomes thick, jagged, lateral bands across the sides and back. These bands are occasionally “broken” (i.e., not extending completely across) but overall, you can see thick, jagged bands remain," according to NJ Fish and Wildlife.

If you see a venomous snake contact the NJ Fish & Wildlife snake hotline at 1-877-927-6337. For more information about venomous snakes in New Jersey click here.

Correction: An earlier version of the article had the incorrect address to Liberty Park. It has since been corrected.

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