Close encounters of the snake kind!

Did you know there are venomous snakes in your backyard?

In a heart-pounding moment, WK9A’s Founder Ewa and her husband Mark returned home to an unexpected visitor in their yard - a snake! But what followed, was an outcome far more positive than they could have ever imagined…

My husband and I returned home from work on a spring afternoon expecting the usual joyful reception from our two beloved dogs. Instead of finding our dogs at the front door, their excited barking echoed from the backyard. We rushed to the scene and confronted a sight that sent shivers down our spines. A sleek, slender snake almost hovered vertically from the ground. Our hearts pounded as we watched our dogs, a German shepherd and a spirited kelpie mix, barking, lunging, and daringly attempting to bite the uninvited guest. In defiance of our expectations, the snake was not attempting to flee, but was standing its ground.

We were very fortunate that our dogs were well trained and very obedient, and despite their state of high arousal we were able to call them to us.

My previous experience with snakes enabled  me to immediately recognise the snake as a venomous red bellied black. A quick call to our trusted vet and the local snake catcher was our next move. The ticking seconds felt like hours as we had no idea how long our dogs had danced with danger before we intervened. With snakes bites, time is of the essence, and we knew our companions might already be victims of venom. In no time we were on the way to the vet. 

Our dogs appeared unhurt, their excitement undiminished, and no telltale bite marks. The odds seemed impossible—could our pets have escaped unscathed despite their aggressive confrontation with the snake? We faced a tough choice: shell out a fortune for anti-venom or trust the unlikely evidence that our dogs were spared.

The vet's advice weighed heavy on us, as administering anti-venom could bring its own risks. We decided to bring our dogs home and monitor them closely.  

A little while after returning home, the snake catcher arrived. We watched in astonishment as he lifted the snake up by its tail and it had holes from our dog’s bites along the entire length of its body. Suddenly it wasn’t a scary snake any more, but a poor native creature fighting for its life. We felt conflicted, feeling sadness that our dogs hurt the snake, and even more fear that our dogs must have got bitten. How could it be possible that our dogs landed so many bites on the snake, and didn’t get bitten even once themselves? 

Once the snake was safely in the snake catcher’s bag and we knew it was still alive, we wanted to know if there was anything we could do to help it survive this ordeal. He assured us that he knew what to do and would look after the snake. All the bites were puncture wounds and there was no obvious critical wound. 

In our chat with the snake catcher we found out that red bellies are shy but very common in Wollongong and are attracted by anything they can crawl under on the ground, grass clippings that are not picked up, long grass, rodents and even dog water bowls that they come to get a drink from. The cooler temperature that day may have played a role in the snake's slower response due to its dependence on ambient warmth, an extraordinary stroke of luck for our dogs. 

As unlikely as it was, our story ended happily. Our dogs remained unharmed, our financial burden avoided, and the snake was safely relocated.

It made us wonder if animals have their own guardian angels, but it's an experience we never wish to repeat. Snakes are a part of life in the beautiful land of Australia, and our responsibility is to take precautions ensuring everyone, including our native wildlife, stays safe.

Snake safety is the key! Encountering a snake can be a nerve-wracking experience for both your pet and yourself. However, with the right training, guidance and support, you can teach your dog what to do to keep everyone safe.

At WK9A, we're excited to partner with Dog Training Help Australia to promote and offer the highly effective Dog Safe Snake Avoidance Program. A 12 week program that will teach you and your dog what to do when you encounter a snake.

For more information on the course, please reach out to the WK9A Team.

Remember, your dog's well-being is a priority, and seeking professional help is always wise when dealing with potential snake bite situations.