Justin Sward heard this rattlesnake before seeing it in a wooded area on Bartley Road Saturday, July 30, 2022. He didn’t expect to hear or see an area of thick trees on Bartley Road, not far from the McDougall Rim hiking trail. A West Kelowna man tells Castanet his dog narrowly escaped a slippery situation with a rattlesnake Saturday. Justin Sward was out enjoying the wilderness on Bartley Road with a friend and his dog Elliot when he heard the distinctive rattle of the snake’s tail. He managed to get away safely and even took a picture of the reptile. Justin says he’s seen the venomous snakes before, but only on Rattlesnake Island, not that close to town. “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen a rattlesnake up there,” he remarked. “I see a lot of people hiking dogs, so for people to be aware, you know, to know if you hear rattling, just watch your dog.”
