Dog owner issues warning after dalmatian dies from snake bite alongside the popular Cooks River

THE death of a dalmatian from a snake bite has prompted distraught owner Margie Collins to call for warning signs to be installed along the Cooks River in Sydney’s inner west.

Margie Collins with her dalmation, Dip, who was killed after he was bitten by a snake while on a walk along the Cooks River.

THE death of a dalmatian from a snake bite has prompted distraught owner Margie Collins to call for warning signs to be installed along the Cooks River.

The Tempe resident had taken Dip and her irish wolfhound Mouse, both rescue dogs, for their regular off-leash walk at Waterworth Park near the Cooks River last Wednesday when she heard an ear-piercing yelp.

The eight-year-old dalmatian, who had been frolicking in the foliage and water near the creek, had a deep puncture wound on his lip.

“They were near the water’s edge and were having a lovely time and then I heard Dip yelp,” Ms Collins said.

“I thought he had run into a stick so I went down and saw a snake-like thing in the water.”

Within 15 minutes of the strike, Dip’s face was swollen and he was unsteady on his legs.

Ms Collins took Dip to the vet but within 45 minutes of being bitten by what was believed to be a red-bellied black snake, he died.

Margie with Mouse who was with Dip when he was bitten by the snake. Picture: Danny Aarons

“It was pretty horrific. The vet said it was likely a red-bellied black snake,” she said.

“Dip was my best mate; my other half. He was friendly, adventurous and loving.

“I feel like someone has chopped my hand off. I’ve had to pack up his food bowls and toys. Mouse is wandering around the house looking for him.”

Ms Collins is warning residents with dogs and young children to be careful around long grass and water along the Cooks River with snakes on the move.

“You don’t expect to see snakes in the city,” she said.

“I never would have gone down there if there was a sign warning that snakes are around. I feel responsible but angry that I wasn’t warned. There are often kids playing down there.”

Dog trainer Trudi Thorpe, and sister-in-law of Margie (right), is urging pet owners to keep their dogs on a leash after Dip was bitten by a snake and died 45 minutes later at the vet.

Earlwood resident Danielle Aiken was walking her dog Kira along the Cooks River in October last year when her pet was bitten by what was believed to be a red-bellied black snake. Kira was lucky and survived.

Hurlstone Park Veterinary Hospital owner Michael Kidd said he had not seen a snakebite case at his practice in 30 years of operating.

“His symptoms of going down hill so quickly made us believe it was a snake bite,” Mr Kidd said.

He said if an animal owner believed their pet had been bitten by a snake, call a vet immediately. “Not many clinics stock anti-venoms in the area so it’s important to ring your vet immediately and get there as quickly as you can,” he said.

A City of Canterbury Bankstown Council spokesman said snakes were rarely spotted along the river making it difficult to erect signs.

“Now the weather is warmer and snakes are more active, council has placed information on snakes in a prominent position on its website and on its social media,” he said.

Dip the dalmation was killed after being bitten by a snake while going for a walk along the Cooks River.

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