DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Some neighbors say they are scared to go in their yard because of a snake problem in a Druid Hills community.
The McKenneys say they’ve seen many in their backyard on Barton Woods Road. Just a few days ago, Gary McKenney said he killed a huge one.
“I mean it is even scary walking up to the mailbox because the snakes like to come out on the driveway,” he said. He said the family’s dog was also bitten.
“She was bitten in her forearm right here and it all started swelling up pretty quickly,” Mary McKenney said.
Neighbors report similar issues in the community, which is behind the Fernbank Forest.
“For our children, the rule is you are not allowed, they are not allowed, off the driveway,” Mary McKenney said.
To combat the problem, neighbors authorized a snake rescue group to release non-venomous snakes into their yards. The rationale is that the other snakes will help deplete the copperhead’s food source.
"You can't really get rid of either one of them, their food or shelter, so you introduce a snake that competes for food with the copperheads," said Jason Clark of Southeastern Reptile Rescue. Clark said many people kill the non-venomous snakes in their yard, which can actually increase their chances of having a problem with a venomous snake.
“People kill those snakes and then as you start killing them, they start to have problems with venomous snakes,” Clark said.
WSBTV
