Python Stalked, Then Ate Family Dog in Front of Children
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 (Foxnews)
BRISBANE, Australia — A 16-foot python stalked a family dog for days before swallowing the pet whole in front of horrified children in the Australian tropics, animal experts said Wednesday.
The boy and girl, aged 5 and 7, watched as the scrub python devoured their silky terrier-Chihuahua crossbreed Monday at their home near Kuranda in Queensland state.
Stuart Douglas, owner of the Australian Venom Zoo in Kuranda, said scrub pythons typically eat wild animals such as wallabies, a smaller relative of the kangaroo, but sometimes turn to pets in urban areas.
"It actively stalked the dog for a number of days," Douglas said.
"The family that owned the dog had actually seen it in the dog's bed, which was a sign it was out to get it," he added.
"They should have called me then, but (the snake) got away and three or four days later, I was called and went around and removed it" after the dog had been killed, Douglas said.
By the time Douglas arrived, all that could be seen of the dog was its hind legs and tail.
The zoo manager, Todd Rose, said pythons squeeze their prey to death before swallowing it whole. The 5-year-old dog would have been suffocated within minutes.
"The lady who was there threw some plastic chairs at the snake, but you've got to remember that this is about 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of aggressive muscle," Rose said.
Removing the half-swallowed dog could have harmed or even killed the python, Rose said, because dogs have sharp teeth and claws that could do the snake internal damage if it were wrenched out.
The snake was still digesting the dog at the zoo Wednesday. It will soon be relocated to the bush, Douglas said.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 (Foxnews)
BRISBANE, Australia — A 16-foot python stalked a family dog for days before swallowing the pet whole in front of horrified children in the Australian tropics, animal experts said Wednesday.
The boy and girl, aged 5 and 7, watched as the scrub python devoured their silky terrier-Chihuahua crossbreed Monday at their home near Kuranda in Queensland state.
Stuart Douglas, owner of the Australian Venom Zoo in Kuranda, said scrub pythons typically eat wild animals such as wallabies, a smaller relative of the kangaroo, but sometimes turn to pets in urban areas.
"It actively stalked the dog for a number of days," Douglas said.
"The family that owned the dog had actually seen it in the dog's bed, which was a sign it was out to get it," he added.
"They should have called me then, but (the snake) got away and three or four days later, I was called and went around and removed it" after the dog had been killed, Douglas said.
By the time Douglas arrived, all that could be seen of the dog was its hind legs and tail.
The zoo manager, Todd Rose, said pythons squeeze their prey to death before swallowing it whole. The 5-year-old dog would have been suffocated within minutes.
"The lady who was there threw some plastic chairs at the snake, but you've got to remember that this is about 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of aggressive muscle," Rose said.
Removing the half-swallowed dog could have harmed or even killed the python, Rose said, because dogs have sharp teeth and claws that could do the snake internal damage if it were wrenched out.
The snake was still digesting the dog at the zoo Wednesday. It will soon be relocated to the bush, Douglas said.
5 comments:
"The family that owned the dog had actually seen it in the dog's bed, which was a sign it was out to get it"
Was this a Twilight Zone episode?!
What did they do? Shoo the snake outta his bed?
C'mon, dangerous snake. That's Fido's bed. Move along. Go play in the living room with the children.
How nuts? Why wouldn't they assign a spotter to the animal while dad loaded his double-barrel shotgun?
This story obviously didn't take place in Texas.
And they're going to release it back into the bush? Doesn't Fido deserve to be avenged?!
There's is always such great comfort and renewing of the spirit when I come to this blog. I wonder if all my fellow reformed are as assured of their salvation as I am when I get to read about automatic shotguns and dog eating snakes. You are such a putz.
Gunny- excellent points, especially your last question.
Malcolm- Assurance of salvation? From this blog? Dude, read your bible for that. As for such edifying posts as the two you cite- I stay informed so you'll be informed. Consider it my pastoral service to you!
Just think Malcolm, and Gary and I prayed for our pastors this morning!
However, I'm with Gunny! Had to read that bit several times and still didn't make me any smarter? I think "seeing the snake in the dog's bed" would make me want to get a motel room until the Hazmat unit or the "snake-busters" arrived
The content on this blog is definitely on a different level from other pastor's blogs I read...
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