Bruno Desciscio’s dog Reggie the terrier survives three snake bites

LITTLE Reggie the terrier has landed himself at the vet’s three times after taking on brown snakes in his master’s backyard. But unlike the snakes, Reggie’s survived to wag the tail.

Reggie the terrier takes snake invasions extremely seriously.

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REGGIE the terrier does not take snake intruders in his backyard lightly. Bred for hunting, terriers are not known for backing down in the face of danger.

Starting with a snake bite in January 2017, Reggie has been bitten three times and has been found with dead snakes next to him on several other occasions.

“The first time he got bitten no one was home, when we found him he was in a bad way” owner Bruno Desciscio said.

The eight-year-old terrier was rushed to Adelaide Vets were he was treated over a few days with antivenene. Then in October, Reggiem once again fought with a brown snake, again killing the reptile but not before being bitten a second time.

Reggie looking worse for wear after getting treatment for a snake bite.

Vet Anna Duffield said Reggie was on the point of death when he was bought into the surgery.

“He was very unwell when he was bought in,” Ms Duffield said.

“But he is a very lucky little dog, again he pulled through. Each time anti-venom is administered there is a chance the animal will have a bad reaction.

“After each dose the risk of that bad reaction rises, so he is very lucky not to have been made more sick by the treatment.

He was bitten again only a few months later and once again survived with the help of Adelaide Vets.

Mr Desciscio who along with his wife and son have had Reggie since he was a puppy, said the number of snakes in his area was very high this year.

“It’s very unusual to have this many snakes, we have been here for 20 years and never had this many,” Mr Desciscio said.

“Some of these snakes are only just passing through but Reggie probably tried to chase them.

“I’ve done some research and there is not a lot you can do to snake proof a yard other than clean up and make sure the yard is clean.”