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A man has issued a warning to dog owners after he stepped on an adder.

Steve Trethowan, the owner of Olive the dog which tragically died at sea near Porthleven, stepped on the venomous snake while searching for his missing pet.

He said he now wants to warn dog owners as the adder could cause 'a fair bit of pain'.

He took to the Porthleven Facebook group to raise awareness.

He wrote: "Hi all, while I was out looking for Olive earlier I stood on (literally) a rather large adder on the cliff path near Tye Rock (in the bouncy grass just below the new foot path).

Join our Cornwall Loves Dogs Facebook group Being a dog owner and living in Cornwall is one of the best combinations going, well we think so anyway. Also being a holidaymaker and brining your dog to the Duchy for a break on the coast is not too bad either. Whether you own one dog or several, whether you have a cocker spaniel or a Great Dane we want to hear from you in our Facebook group celebrating dogs in Cornwall. Cornwall Loves Dogs is a group where dog lovers can share their favourite pictures of their pets enjoying their gorgeous Cornish surroundings or try and get questions answered about your dog. Dog owners often need some tips or advice and by joining our online community you will be sure to get some help one way or another. Here are Cornwall Live we will also share the latest news regarding dogs or warnings for dog owners to keep you up to date. Of course we love seeing your pictures and videos of your loveable pups too so please get involved. Likewise if there is something you think others should know about then please post away. To join the group click here and select JOIN

"Just want you all to be aware, she was pretty dozy, especially after a big wellie on its head! But would hate for a dog to find it..."

Thanking locals for their support after Olive went missing, he added: "Thank you again to all you Port’leveners for you help in her search. The sea took her but also brought her home, we are gutted but my home village came up trumps as usual! Thank you."

Mr Trethowan told Cornwall Live: "It was an adult female adder and matched the brown bracken perfectly, it was almost orange in colour and clearly adapted to its surroundings. It would cause a dog or human a fair bit of pain.... Nasty things."

Adders are the only venomous snakes which can be found in the UK.

About adders

According to The Wildlife Trusts, which helps preserve wildlife across the UK, the adder is the UK's only venomous snake.

The charity’s website says that an adder’s poison is generally of little danger to humans but can be very painful and cause a nasty inflammation.

It adds that it is really only dangerous to the very young, ill or old.

Anyone who is bitten by an adder is urged to seek medical attention immediately.

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The Wildlife Trusts' website says: “Our only venomous snake, the shy adder can be spotted basking in the sunshine in woodland glades and on heathlands. An adder bite is a very rare occurrence, and can be painful, but is almost never fatal.

Adders are secretive animals and prefer to slither off into the undergrowth than confront and bite humans and domestic animals; most attacks happen when they are trodden on or picked up.

“Instead, they use their venom to immobilise and kill their prey of small mammals, nestlings and lizards.”