Obviously, for this woman, the situation was very serious, frightening and tense. It seems to me she responded about as well as she could, once her calls for assistance left her with the impression that she'd have to deal with the rattler on her own.
However, I am bemused to see that the State of Wisconsin has a toll-free Rattlesnake Hotline. It makes me wonder what other little publicized, and oddly specific hotlines Mellos are aware of.
Care to share?