GOLD COAST BULLETIN (Molendinar, Australia) 16 October 13 Dog of a day as snake strikes twice (Jessica Elder)
Gold Coast dog owners are being warned to look out for their furry friends after two family pets were killed by a red-bellied black snake.
The dogs, Chloe and Poohey, showed no signs of being bitten until the morning after, but by then it was too late.
A vet was forced to destroy both animals, prompting warnings from experts that snake season has begun.
Owner Nicole Buchbach said she wanted to warn other pet owners after suffering the heartache of losing hers.
"The dogs were bitten on my mother-in-law's Jacobs Well property on Thursday night, but they showed no signs until early Friday morning and it was too late,'' she said.
"We had a mobile vet rush straight to us, but there was nothing that could be done.
"I have cried a river of tears and I don't want anyone's sympathy I just want to warn people there are snakes out there and to be careful.''
An unusually warm spring brought snake season early this year and the reptiles will be on the move for the next few weeks as the mating season continues.
Snake catchers have warned there will be hundreds of hatchlings around the city in the next three to four weeks and their bite is just as deadly as mum or dad's.
Gold Coast mobile vet Sally Armstrong said it was vital pet owners were aware of snake dangers, with bites costly and difficult to treat.
"At this time of year snakes are on the move and many pets can become curious, or try to attack snakes they see in the yard,'' she said.
"Snake bites on dogs and cats are difficult and costly to treat there are no guarantees.''
Pommie Pythons snake catcher Andy Kington said snake numbers were on the rise and they weren't just common in vegetated areas.
"I have been called to dangerous snakes all over the Coast it is not unusual for a dangerous snake to be found in the middle of suburbia,'' he said.
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