SNAKE reports at a popular dog walking spot in Worcester are being investigated by Worcester City Council

At least three dogs are reported to have been bitten by a snake on Claines Recreation Ground along Cornmeadow Lane.

The reports suggested the bites could have been from an adder, the UK's only venomous snake which is protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. 

Cllr Karen Lawrance, Claines ward Liberal Democrat councillor, has now reported the attacks to Worcester City Council which is investigating.

READ MORE: 'Snakes' bite dogs on 'The Rec' Claines Recreation Ground

Worcester News: Cllr Karen Lawrance.Cllr Karen Lawrance. (Image: Cllr Karen Lawrance.)

Cllr Lawrance said: "I would ask that people do not visit the area just to see if they can find adders.

"Please leave them undisturbed.

"Until Worcester City Council has had time to assess the biodiversity of the field you are advised to keep dogs under control and out of the longer grassed areas."

Worcester City Council has confirmed that it is now in the process of working to see if the reports are accurate.

A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: “We are working together with Worcester Environmental Group to establish whether there are adders on the site.”

READ MORE: Malvern Hills Trust advice to keep dogs safe from adders

Councillor Lawrance also previously said grass snakes may have been responsible for the puncture marks.

This was echoed by a spokesperson for the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (WWT) who highlighted that grass snakes were more common across the county.

Wendy Carter from WWT said: "Sadly, adder numbers have plummeted in Worcestershire over the last few years and they’re only known to exist in a couple of parts of the county these days.  

"It’s always possible that small populations of adders are clinging on in a few places but, in this case, it’s more likely that if any dogs were bitten by a snake it was a grass snake.

"Grass snakes are much more common across Worcestershire and are found in a range of habitats. Grass snakes are not venomous but do have teeth so can bite if threatened."