Householders warned to look out for snakes after pet dogs nearly die after bite attacks
Two pet dogs have been bitten by deadly snakes in separate incidents on the same northern beaches property — and it has prompted a warning about the creatures as the weather heats up.
Manly
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A family who nearly lost their pet dogs to two separate snakebite attacks in the space of a month have warned other northern beaches householders to be on the lookout for the reptiles around their homes.
Cruze, a beautiful male kelpie, was left close to death after he was struck in the neck by a large tiger snake on a property at Terrey Hills last month.
Then, last week, his best mate Bailey, a female kelpie, was bitten on a front leg when she tackled a red-bellied black snake.
The dogs’ owner, Bill Miller, said they regularly see snakes and other wildlife on their acreage in Cooyong Rd, but the snakes were becoming much more active due to the warmer weather.
Mr Miller said 12-month-old Cruze was bitten after he spotted the tiger snake curled up under a planter pot while a children’s party was being hosted near the house.
“He started barking at the snake and it got him on the neck. The puncture marks were really wide apart.
“This is the worst year we’ve had for snakes.”
Mr Miller said by the time he carried Cruze into the vet’s surgery, the dog was limp in his arms.
The kelpie needed four doses of tiger snake antivenene to neutralise the effect of the poison. Each dose cost about $1000.
The same tiger snake has also been blamed for killing a neighbour’s dog and two chickens and a number of mice in the Miller family’s hen house.
Last week two-year-old Bailey spotted a large red-bellied black snake near a dam on he property.
Mr Miller said she snapped at and bit the snake, but in the struggle, it managed to sink its fangs into her front leg.
“Bailey was limping. We thought she might have a thorn in her foot.
“But she started to get weaker and we saw the bite and took her off to the vet as well.
“Unfortunately the dog killed the black snake, but the tiger snake has not been located.”
Bailey needed two doses of antivenene but is now home and recovering well.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A SNAKE: Source: WIRES.
*Keep your distance, do not try to touch it or try to contain it.
* Snakes are common in summer and will regularly be seen around houses and yards. They are usually passing through and will be gone within a few hours.
* If you stay well away from the snake it presents no immediate danger.
* Keep children and pets away from snakes at all times.
* If you find a snake in your house, make sure all people, children and pets are moved into other rooms and kept away until the situation is resolved.
* If you can safely do so, isolate the snake in the room you found it by closing the doors to the room and putting towels along the bottom of the doors.
Call WIRES Rescue Line on 1300 094 737