Hearing a rattlesnake is the last thing you want to hear on a walk, especially when you are with your loved ones and pets.
As the weather starts to warm up you may be hearing them more often. Luckily a group has spent over a decade dedicated to teaching pets to avoid potentially dangerous situations while teaching us about the snakes as well.
'Get Rattled' puts you and your dog in a variety of scenarios to safely teach them to recognize the sight, sound and smell of a rattlesnake.
Over the years 'Get Rattled has been able to travel all over the country to teach the public, but this year is a bit different,
"Because of the way the law is written it, unfortunately, doesn't allow us to do it in Washoe County," explains 'Get Rattled' owner, John Potash.
In February Washoe County passed a law that requires you to apply for a permit to own a "tier 2 or 3" exotic animal. If it's approved, your exotic pet will require liability insurance ranging from $25,000 to $250,000. A local pet store closed down in February claiming they could not continue their business with the new law. Finding an insurance company that covers what Washoe County asks can be difficult, and if found the policy for that insurance can be even more expensive than previous years.
Rattlesnakes are considered Tier 3. To follow the law 'Get Rattled' has been teaching the public outside Washoe County city limits, in areas like Lockwood. While the rules are inconvenient, Potash understands the law,
"there are people who think it might be cool to have a pet rattlesnake and not have experience or the knowledge on how to take care of them."
Even though they may not be able to train your pet in Washoe County they still can retrieve snakes found around your home and relocate them,
"Somebody will have a rattlesnake in their yard or park and don't know what to do," says Potash.
But he does wish there was a way to make an agreement for businesses like his. So, for now, you may need to travel to find this life-saving training, but it can be worth it in the end,
"It is definitely better to spend some money to train your dog to avoid them then to have to worry about your dog dealing with pain and suffering of the bite," says Potash.
We did reach out to Washoe County and they a statement saying,
“Washoe County Regional Animal Services has a permit process in place for residents who wish to own an exotic animal in the county. A permit process has been in place for over ten years that governs the ownership of exotic animals such as bears, primates and some reptiles. Venomous snakes have previously, and currently, require a permit.
A change to the current permitting process for exotic animals was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in January. The change separates exotic animal species into three tiers, with tier one animals being those that are typically sold in pet stores, tier two being moderately dangerous or injurious and tier three being those that are most inherently dangerous.
Rattlesnakes are considered an inherently dangerous reptile that falls within the tier three classification and requires a permit to own within Washoe County. Washoe County Regional Animal Services does not prohibit anyone from doing business with an exotic animal, but a permit must be obtained for the owned tier two and three animals to help ensure the safety of our community.
Washoe County Regional Animal Services staff has worked diligently on the recently adopted changes for over four years with the only intent to ensure public safety and the welfare and responsible care of all animals.”
– Shyanne Schull, Director, Washoe County Regional Animal Services.
'Get Rattled' does have a permit to do training with their rattlesnakes -- just not in Washoe County, but they are trying to work with Washoe County to continue doing their work closer to home.
If you would like to know more about 'Get Rattled' and sign up for a class, click here.
KTVN Jaimie Hays
