Dog killed by rattlesnake in Orange County community

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - Leo Cross with Florida Wildlife Trappers said a wooded residential area in the Wedgefield community of east Orange County is a breeding ground for eastern diamondback rattlesnakes.  

Cross recently removed a five-and-a-half-foot rattlesnake from Lori Parsons’ backyard. Parsons has two dogs, and she said her neighbors are posting on their community Facebook page that two other dogs were killed by a rattlesnake last week.

Cross says Parsons was lucky that her dogs did not get close enough to be bitten.  Even with the panic from dog owners, he says if you see a rattlesnake, don't kill it.  The rattlesnake he trapped was sent to a serpentarium in St. Cloud, where it will be milked for it's venom to help create anti-venom for bite victims.