American scorpion found by dog in Hamilton street

Published on 25/05/2012 11:49

AN inquisitive dog almost got more than it bargained for after coming across a tropical scorpion outside the family home in Hamilton.

The dog’s owner contacted the Scottish SPCA when his eight-year-old female westie, named Skye, made the unusual discovery on Wednesday.

The man was able to contain the venomous yellow and black scorpion in a plastic tub with air holes until the animal charity arrived.

After being taken to the charity’s Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre at Cardonald, the creature was identified as a Florida bark scorpion.

Animal rescue officer Ashley Griffin said: “The man who found this scorpion wasn’t fazed at all and was able to contain it without any trouble, which is pretty remarkable as I’d imagine most people would have panicked.

“Skye definitely deserves a lot of credit for alerting her owner as it’s a small scorpion which could easily have come to harm.

“Florida barks aren’t deadly although, if bitten, the pain could vary from that of a bee-sting to intense inflammation and sickness.

“They are used to heat so it would have been enjoying the warm weather we’ve had this week but wouldn’t have survived for long as the temperatures dropped at night.

“As they’re native to Florida and very common there, it’s likely someone has brought this creature back in their suitcase without realising.”

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