I AM writing in response to recent concerns over adders that have been expressed by the Health Protection Agency, and your report (Monday’s Oxford Mail) about a dog being bitten in Wantage.

We would like to reassure readers that the risk of an adder bite is infinitesimally small, since they are almost extinct in our county, with only a handful of individuals remaining on protected reserves.

In terms of risk to human or animal health you are more at risk from: bee stings, allergens, getting out of the bath, and making a cup of tea, to name but a few hazardous everyday activities.

In fact, there have only ever been 14 reported deaths from adder bites in Britain, and none since 1975 – nearly 40 years ago.

Our greatest concern is of persecution against a species that is already one of Britain’s most threatened.

Adders have suffered from centuries of persecution and habitat loss. They are declining across many areas of Britain, and are extinct in several counties in England.

We would also like to point out that they are protected from killing and injury, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

If any of your readers do have concerns, please contact the Oxfordshire Amphibian and Reptile Group via our website.

We are always very happy to follow up on any possible adder sighting (or indeed any other amphibian or reptile records).

However, sadly, given the plight of this iconic creature, to date all have turned out to be grass snakes or slow worms (actually a legless lizard), both of which are entirely harmless (unless you are a slug or snail).

Dr ANGELA JULIAN, Secretary, OxARG, Gidley Way, Horspath