Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 photo of carpet python eating pet cat goes viral

A picture of a carpet python eating a pet cat north of Brisbane has emerged as a Queensland snake catcher weighs in on the owner’s heartbreaking decision to let the meal continue.

Carpet Python eats pet cat. Picture: Facebook/Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7.

A controversial picture of a carpet python eating a pet cat has gone viral as Queenslanders argue whether it was heartbreaking or the ‘circle of life’, with a snake catcher weighing in on the importance of keeping cats indoors.

A renowned snake catcher business, Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7, posted a photo of a carpet python eating a pet cat, which went viral on Facebook.

“Carpet python eats pet cat... posted with owners permission... unfortunately, this morning (Thursday), we were called out to a home where there was a confrontation between a carpet python and the homeowners cat,” the post read.

“Our crew arrived when it was just starting to swallow the cat, and offered to interfere and remove the cat so the homeowner had the chance to bury it. However, the homeowners said it was okay for the snake to continue on eating the cat as it was too late to save it, and they didn’t want their cat to die for nothing.

“In this situation, it is easy to get angry at the snake, but it’s important for us all to remember that this is a natural and instinctual situation. Neither animals are at fault. The cat was well and truly deceased before the snake started swallowing it simply from the constriction pressure, so there was nothing we could have done.”

Stuart McKenzie of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7.

One of the snake catchers, Stuart McKenzie, said it was a “brutal” scene at Griffin, in Moreton Bay, on Thursday, February 6, about 9.30am.

“It’s a delicate issue,” Mr McKenzie said.

“It’s not a common occurrence for us but this season it has happened a handful of times with a couple of cats and small dogs taken.

“Usually when there’s confrontation between a snake and a cat it ends with the snake dying. Cats will often bring snakes inside and owners call us to come and remove them.

“This cat was in its own yard...it was just unlucky … it usually happens when cats are roaming the neighbourhood.

“Cats should be inside or in their own yard but really you could say the same about dogs. Cats shouldn’t be allowed to roam when they are active hunters.

“Both cats and dogs can still kill wildlife in their own backyards though. Again it’s delicate.

“It’s illegal too. Statistics show cats kill hundreds of millions of animals and wildlife here every year. It’s a massive issue.”

Mr McKenzie said the lady who owned this particular cat handled it very well.

“She was devastated but was like the cat is already dead and gone may as well let the snake eat it and not miss out on a meal,” he said.

“It’s the circle of life.

“No point burying it. Snake may as well get a feed out of it.”

Carpet python eats a pet cat. Picture: Facebook/Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7.

The Facebook post went viral online with people flocking to the comments to share their opinions.

Shirley Ellingworth said it was “sad for cat, but python was only doing what is normal. Sorry for the owners, losing their furbaby”.

“This is why my cat is inside 24/7 too many dangers outside. Feel for the owners how sad for your cat to pass like this,”

Janine Beveridge said.

“Very hard decision to allow nature to take its course, and very brave to allow you to post it. Total respect to the cats owners, sorry for their loss,” Des Seib said.

“I love cats. Cats should be indoor pets,” Casey La Cass said.

“Very sad. and an important reminder to keep cats inside – for native animals’ safety and their own safety too. Rest in peace,” Jodie Pankhurst said.

Sofie Kent-Lamkin said to “keep your cat inside”.

“It’s sad but completely avoidable. At least the snake got food. Glad the owners understood and didn’t blame the snake. Hopefully their next cat they will keep inside,” she said.

Madeleine Carter wasn’t as understanding.

“That snake would be a D E A D snake if it ate my pet,” she said.

The local snake catcher, Mr McKenzie, said this was also a timely reminder to make sure outdoor pet enclosures were snake proof.