Mark: What do you mean, do his job? Is there someone hiding in the woods?
Officer Pogliotti: No. Look closer near the base of that oak trunk.
Sarah: Oh God... Mark, look at the dry leaves moving!
A sharp, dry rattling sound echoed through the quiet park. From beneath the pile of red and yellow autumn leaves, a thick, diamond-patterned rattlesnake slowly coiled upwards. Its triangular head raised high, fangs exposed, staring directly at the spot where Lily's small arm had been reaching just seconds earlier. The venomous snake hissed loudly, its rattle shaking in a furious warning.
Sarah: SWEET JESUS! IT'S A RATTLESNAKE!
Mark: Stay back, Sarah! Don't scream!
Officer Pogliotti: Everyone remain calm! Lily, keep your eyes on me, baby. Don't look at the snake.
Lily: Daddy, I hear a buzzing noise! What is that?
Mark: Don't move, Lily! Keep totally still like the officer said!
Officer Pogliotti: Rex spotted it from twenty yards away. If Lily had reached for that frisbee, that snake would have struck her straight in the face.
Sarah: Oh my God... oh my God... my baby girl...
Mark: Officer, it's coiling up! It looks like it's going to strike!
Officer Pogliotti: Rex is covering her vital areas. He tackled her to push her out of the strike zone and pin her down so she wouldn't startle it.
Mark: I'm sorry... Officer, I'm so sorry I yelled at you.
Officer Pogliotti: Save it for later, Mark. Right now we need to clear this threat without anyone getting bitten.
Rex remained pinned over Lily, taking a protective stance between the agitated viper and the helpless young girl. The dog let out a soft, focused whimper, his muscles tense as he carefully angled his body to shield Lily's face and neck completely. The rattlesnake hissed again, striking forward into the air, missing Rex's thick tactical vest by mere inches.
Sarah: IT STRUCK! IT ALMOST GOT THE DOG!
Mark: Officer, do something! Shoot it!
Officer Pogliotti: I can't fire a weapon so close to my dog and your daughter on the ground. A ricochet off the dirt could hit Lily.
Mark: Then how do we get her out of there?!
Officer Pogliotti: I need you to grab the yellow frisbee slowly and pull it backward. Create a distraction so the snake focuses on the plastic, not the dog.
Mark: Okay... okay, I can do that.
Sarah: Mark, be careful!
Officer Pogliotti: Slowly, Mark. Very slowly.
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