Mack the dog almost dies saving toddler from a tiger snake in Tarneit backyard

A HERO dog named Mack has almost died saving a little girl from a tiger snake as she played in her Tarneit backyard.

A FAMILY dog was lucky to survive after being bitten by a tiger snake and his owners have called him a hero for protecting their young daughter.

Mack the boxer was playing with two-and-a-half-year-old Carmen Shaw in a Tarneit backyard when mother Josephine Shaw saw him he was frothing at the mouth, and rushed him to the emergency vet.

DEADLY SNAKE FOUND IN SWANSTON ST GARAGE

“I found the tiger snake about two meters from the trampoline where Carmen was playing-Mack was protecting her,” Mrs Shaw said.

“He normally sleeps on the end of our bed so when he was in hospital it was heartbreaking.”

BRACE FOR SUMMER SNAKE EXPLOSION

Leigh and Josephine Shaw with their daughters Lexie, 3mths and Carmen, 2. Mack the boxerwas lucky to survive the bite. Picture: Ian Currie

Mack is particularly special to the Josephine and her husband Leigh as he came into their life after a devastating miscarriage of twins three years ago.

Four doses of antivenene and $6,000 in veterinary bills later the Shaws decided they would sell their vintage car, a1968 HK Kingswood, to pay for it all.

But the local community stepped in and raised more than $1000 over what the family needed on a go-fund-me page.

The family have been able to pay their bills, keep their car and welcome their hero Mack back home.

Despite the shock at finding the deadly snake in their backyard, snake catcher Jason Donnelly said they were common in Melbourne.

“Habitat destruction displaces all sorts of animals and snakes and they look for places to go like gardens and parks,” said Mr Donnelly.

“The number of snakes is steady but with more people we are seeing more interaction between us and them.”

It can be expensive to treat snake bites so keep pets away from danger areas, vets warn. Picture Norm Oorloff

Mr Donnelly warned anywhere along the Yarra River, Merri or Darebin Creeks was high risk, as well as around new developments like Tarneit.

Veterinarian Dr Mark Davis said while around 80% of dogs survive snakebites with appropriate care, it is expensive so prevention is the best option.

“When walking a dog near waterways, the dog should be kept on a lead,” Dr Davis said.

“Keeping your yard clear of rubbish and being aware that piles of timber, compost heaps and chicken coops attract snakes is important.”

He added that dogs can respond differently to bites but if they collapse, vomit or stop moving they need to be taken to the vet.

“If you think your dog has been bitten you shouldn’t let it exercise to try to minimise the venom circulating and carry it to the car,” Dr Davis said.