Dog bitten by venomous snake rescued by helicopter from Austrian mountain

A dog hiking with its owners in Austria's Totes Gebirge mountains suffered a venomous snakebite, leading to a dramatic rescue operation. The incident occurred on a trail between Rinnerhütte and Wildensee in the Gmunden district.

The dog, a mixed breed weighing approximately 35 kilograms, was bitten on the paw by what is believed to be a European adder (Kreuzotter). Following the bite, the animal's paw swelled considerably, and its circulatory system began to deteriorate. Unable to move, the dog's 63-year-old owner contacted emergency services.

A police helicopter was dispatched to the remote location and successfully airlifted both the dog and its owner back down to the valley. From there, the owner immediately transported the dog to a veterinarian for treatment. The current condition of the animal is unknown, as is the full extent of its recovery from the incident.

The European adder is the only venomous snake species found in the Totes Gebirge. Its bite can be life-threatening, depending on factors such as the size of the animal, the location of the bite, and the amount of venom injected.