WHEN Richard and Christine Mazlin took their elderly dog for a walk, they were just giving him some much needed exercise.
But instead of helping 12-year-old Jason, the trip nearly killed him.
They were taking Jason, who finds it difficult to walk, for a short wander through the woods at Crickley Hill when he was bitten by an adder as he walked through the undergrowth.
The couple, from Shurdington, said they came close to losing their canine companion as a result.
Richard, 53, is now warning other dog walkers to beware of the snakes.
He said: "Jason was fine initially – he ate his dinner and went to bed.
"But the next day, his leg started swelling up and we realised something was wrong.
"At first I thought it was a bee sting, but I then realised it may be an adder bite and the vet agreed.
"By Sunday it was really bad and on the Monday we thought he was going to die."
Jason has now pulled through the worst of it, although he still has some way to go until he is fully recovered.
Crickley Hill is not the only place where dog walkers need to watch out. A survey is currently being carried out to identify how many snakes are on Cleeve Common.
The animals, which can attack humans, usually start to appear in early spring.
David Stevens, duty ranger at Cleeve Common, said adders were around at this time of year, adding: "I would advise people to take their dogs immediately to the vets if they notice a scratch or a bite mark.
"But it can be easily treated if their owners act immediately.
"People should wear sensible shoes and trousers, as you do not know if they are hiding in the long grass."
Kelly Boakes, veterinary surgeon and exotic animal expert of Companion Care Vets at Pets at Home in Gallagher Retail Park, said: "This does not happen very often. These are the only type of venomous snakes in Britain but they are not aggressive.
"Adders snakes are known to bite as a last means of defences, if they are stepped on or if caught.
"They are usually wary of animals and humans."
Dogs are often prescribed antibiotics and antihistamines to treat the bite.
Symptoms that dog owners should look out for include swelling, dizziness and in some cases sickness.
Adders are commonly found in Leckhampton Hill, Crickley Hill and Cleeve Hill.
Vet Alison Jones, of Vets on the Park in Moorend Grove, said: "We see a couple of dogs come in every year with the problem.
"The snakes come out in early spring and when the sun is out because they need sun and warmth.
"However they only attack if they are disturbed by dogs walking on them by mistake.
"We often give fluids to the dogs as they are in shock and pain relief, because this type of bite can be extremely painful."
