Angle Vale mum recounts dogs’ brown snake attack

Saved by a Chihuahua cross half his size, American staffy Dusty – and his human owners – are thanking the tiny guardian angel who warded off a deadly brown snake.

A family pet delivered a potentially lethal blow by a snake while snoozing on the back lawn has returned home and is expected to make a full recovery.

In one of the luckiest tales of a pet dog being bitten by a deadly brown snake, Dusty, an American staffy, was only suffering from the effects of venom for short time after Roxy, his Chihuahua cross pal scared off the attacker.

Moments later, one of Dusty’s human family members pounced into action and the injured pup was taken to the vets.

Dusty was bitten by the brown snake on Monday morning at Angle Vale before his mate Roxy staved off the attacker.

Roxy jumped to the rescue of Dusty, snapping and barking at the snake as her pal lay sluggish and affected by the snake’s venom nearby.

Dusty, an American Staffy was bitten by a brown snake, but was saved from further attack by Roxy, a Chihuahua x Blue Heeler. Their owner, Tayla McKenzie with 3 month old baby Aria and the two happy dogs. 8 November 2022. Picture Dean Martin

Dusty and Roxy at home together. Picture: Dean Martin

Roxy’s rescue was double-barrelled, with her human family members unaware inside.

The dogs’ owner, Sanga Mckenzie, told The Advertiser her daughter called out to the dying Dusty and got no response before he was able to muster the strength the saunter inside.

Tayla, the 17-year-old daughter, saw the snake being harassed by Roxy before initially thinking it was dead.

Ms Mckenzie recounted the horror her daughter faced thinking they had lost their four-legged friend.

“She screamed out for Dusty and then rang me,” Ms Mckenzie said.

“She was inconsolable and screaming for help.

“It was lucky I was on my way home.”

Ms Mckenzie, Tayla and another family member, Misch, rushed Dusty to the vet where he received antivenene.

American staffy Dusty is recovering at home after being bitten by a snake. Picture: Supplied

The brown snake that attacked Angle Vale pup Dusty. Picture: Sanga Mckenzie

Dusty and Roxy at the house where Dusty was bitten. Picture Dean Martin

Ms Mckenzie was not initially 100 per cent certain Dusty would survive, but the vets at Vets for Pets Angle Vale were confident he would be okay.

The family moved to Angle Vale six months ago and Ms Mckenzie said it was their first encounter with a snake.

She said she would be employing a snake expert to make her new backyard snake-proof.

Snakes are typically active in South Australia from September through to May.

Brown snakes are known to be typically active as the weather begins to heat up again as they are out searching for a mate and hunting for food.

Snake Catcher Adelaide last week told The Advertiser they received 80-90 calls a day during snake season with callers coming from all across the state.

The group was called in to catch a snake at an Officeworks in the southern suburbs.