A man was bit by a rattlesnake at the Ocean Beach dog beach, the San Diego Fire Department said.
The incident happened around 2:25 p.m. on Voltaire Street.
The adult man was transported to the UC San Diego Medical Center.
The condition of the victim is unknown.
Last year, warmer weather at the start of the year resulted in more than triple the number of rattlesnake calls to the County's Department of Animal Services.
Since Jan. 1, it had received 78 calls reporting rattlesnakes across San Diego County. That’s more than three times the number of rattlesnake calls during this same time period in 2013, when 24 calls came in.
Typically, rattlesnakes wait until spring to come out of hibernation. DAS recommends locals discourage the critters from making themselves at home in yards by getting rid of any possible shelter or food for rattlesnakes, including heaps of trash, wood piles, mice and rats.
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Also, if you spot a rattlesnake on your property, calmly back away from the critter and leave it alone. Then, call DAS for assistance in safely removing the snake.
DAS also suggests being aware of your surroundings at all times if you are walking anywhere snakes might be, which means avoiding becoming distracted by your cell phone. If you’re walking your dog, keep it on a leash, that way you can pull your pet away quickly if you encounter a rattlesnake.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes while walking or hiking and stay on paths or trails, and avoid tall grass, weeds and brush where snakes might hide. Also, make sure you can always see the path ahead of you and look for snakes that might blend into the ground before picking up rocks or sticks.
Residents of unincorporated areas of San Diego County or the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, San Diego, Santee or Solana Beach can call DAS at (619) 236-2341 to report a rattlesnake sighting. All other residents can call the animal control agency for their respective city.
If you’re bitten by a rattlesnake, immediately call 911 and remove any constricting clothing or accessories like rings or watches.
