Dog saves Danville teen from snake attack

By Bernard Baker

Published: June 24, 2008

A Danville teenager said he feels lucky that he returned from his first mission trip to Kentucky.

Haiasi Sampson, 13, went to David, Ky., with about 20 members of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, who led Vacation Bible School in this area of high poverty and worked on home repairs.

Sampson was moving a pile of dirt with a wheel barrel when he walked into the path of a snake. Lucky for Sampson, a dog that had befriended him tried to protect him.

“When I was moving the barrel, this dog came over and started walking with me,” Sampson said.

A few seconds later, Sampson said he saw the snake about 2 or 3 feet in front of him. The snake was coiled up ready to strike. He said the beagle-mix got in front of him.

“I didn’t know what to do,” Sampson said. “I thought I was dead.”

The snake jumped off the ground and came within inches of biting Sampson in the face, he said. The dog then barked at the snake and the copperhead turned around and bit the dog, according to the teenager.

The dog began to stumble and move slowly after it was bit, Sampson said.

The Rev. Sam Colley-Toothaker, rector of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, and his son took the dog to a veterinary clinic to save the animal’s life.

“I feel God was looking out for me,” Sampson said. 

The incident won’t keep Sampson from going on another mission trip. He said the trip gave him confidence and a deep respect for people and especially animals.

“I named the dog Sparky because he moves so fast,” Sampson said.

Colley-Toothaker said he believes God uses experiences like this to bring people together. He also believes the dog was there to protest Sampson.

Paulette Dean, executive director of Danville Area Humane Society, said the dog’s action was not out of the ordinary.

“Animals do wonderful things,” she said.

Dean added that she would like to find a home for the dog, which is still recovering in Kentucky.

Contact Bernard Baker at or (434) 791-7986.