Boy Bitten by Rattlesnake in Yard

A 3-year-old boy who was bitten by a rattlesnake as he played shoeless in his uncle’s front yard was listed in fair condition Wednesday, authorities said.

Matthew Peters, of Glendale, was in the front yard of his uncle’s home in the 1800 block of Idlewood Road when he was bitten on his left foot by a 12-inch rattler Tuesday at 10:30 p.m., said Glendale Fire Marshal David Starr.

The boy was listed in fair condition at Childrens Hospital in Hollywood.

Officer Vazrik Nazari of the Glendale Humane Society said the rattlesnake, which was about 3 months old, was immediately destroyed and taken to the hospital with the boy so venom samples could be taken.

Nazari said snakes are common in the north Glendale foothills, especially when temperatures soar.

Two other snake sightings were reported Tuesday night. In the 1800 block of Hillcrest Drive, a rattlesnake was captured and destroyed and the search for another snake in the 900 block of Calle de Pacifico proved unsuccessful, he said.