NORTHERN TERRITORY NEWS (Darwin, Australia) 18 November 06 Saltie lunges at dog in water (Rebekah Cavanagh)
A saltwater crocodile lunged at a man's dog as they walked along a popular Darwin City beach.
The Territory man's beloved four-legged friend had a narrow escape from the jaws of the saltie after it tried to take the dog while she was swimming at Mindil Beach.
Paul Hoad was walking his black bitzer Jezza in ankle deep water on Thursday about 6.30pm when the 1.5m croc leapt out of the water and snapped at her.
``It launched straight up at her and made a big splash,'' Mr Hoad said. ``She yelped and I thought it had got her.
``My heart was racing.
``When she got out of the water I checked her right over but she was fine. It must have just missed her and given her a big fright.''
Mr Hoad, of The Narrows, said Jezza normally did not venture into the water but saw a bird and chased after it.
Mr Hoad, 37, said once Jezza was out of the water the croc, which was only about 3m from the shoreline, followed them up the beach.
``While it was only small, it was not scared of us at all,'' he said.
NT Parks and Wildlife senior wildlife officer Tommy Nichols said a spotlight search of the area on Thursday night did not locate the saltie.
Anyone who spots a crocodile is urged to call the 24-hour NT Parks and Wildlife croc catchers' hotline on 0419822859.
Saltie lunges at dog in water