Snake v dog: Gold Coast gran to the rescue

A Queensland grandmother has described how she came to the rescue of her family’s beloved chihuahua as a snake was about to swallow it whole. WATCH NOW

A GOLD Coast grandmother has heroically pinned a 2m snake down with a shovel to rescue the family’s chihuahua that was inches from being swallowed whole.

Royala Rooney, 77, had just returned home to her home at Reedy Creek with her grandson Oscar Mikami, when they heard a piercing shriek from the back yard.

Snake catcher sees surge in eastern browns in region

Cat gets fright of lifetime when snake gets caught in its collar

They ran outside, to see a large python wrapped around their pet, with only 12-year-old Bobby’s head visible from the snake’s mouth.

“We went outside to see half of Bobby’s body inside a snake’s mouth,” Ms Rooney said.

“Magpies were swooping the snake and our other dog was running in circles.

“I was terrified.”

Ms Rooney said her 17-year-old grandson was quick to spring to action, but at first she felt there was no hope.

“I told Oscar it was too late, the snake was going to eat Bobby,” she said.

“But he ran over anyway to unwind the snake from Bobby, he was so brave.”

Ms Rooney said she found a shovel in the garage and went into “rescue mode”.

“I was very frightened, but I had to be strong for Bobby and Oscar,” she said.

“The snake was coiled totally around Bobby with just his face poking out.

“I pressed the shovel into the back of the snake’s head, not to kill it but to hold it down.

“It had bitten into Bobby’s leg and was trying to crush him, but we managed to get the snake off.”

"Bobby" the chihuahua was saved from the jaws of a carpet snake by Royala Rooney and her grandson Oscar Mikami. Picture: Adam Head

Bobby was rushed to the vet, where it was feared he may not make it, but after an overnight stay and a cast on his fractured leg, he was able to return home.

The senior dog had to be kept inside for several weeks, and was at first afraid to be in the yard, but Ms Rooney said he was lucky to have made a full recovery.

“If we hadn’t been home Bobby would’ve died, he’s a very lucky puppy,” Ms Rooney said.

“I was amazed by Oscar’s courage and strength, most kids would’ve run a mile.

“The snake probably thought he was a chicken because of his spindly legs.”

Dr Ali Harris at Vet Love Nobby Beach said small dog owners should beware.

“One in three houses on the Gold Coast have carpet pythons, so your small animals are at risk of being strangled and swallowed,” she said.

Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catchers founder Tony Harrison, who lost both his dogs to snake attacks, said it was very common to see dogs injured by snakes over the Christmas period.

“If your dog’s been caught you can spray the snake in the face with a hose, but you need to avoid getting bitten yourself,” he said.

Bobby the dog resting comfortably after the ordeal