Snake bite killed my dog

Dianne Cook: devastated by dog’s death

A distraught dog owner claims a snake killed her pet dog, Patch.

Dianne Cook says Patch, a nine year old Jack Russell, died in agony less than 24 hours after being bitten by what she believes was an adder.

Mrs Cook (63), took Patch for a walk near her family’s business in Delph. Patch ran off into long grass then returned to her.

“He seemed tired and began scratching his neck. I noticed his neck was swollen and there were two lumps, like bite marks. I contacted a vet and said I thought he could have been bitten by an adder. I arranged to take him to the vet next day but on that morning he just convulsed and died by my side. I’m absolutely devastated.”

Mrs Cook once ran a pet shop in Shaw. “I’ve never seen adders around the village this year but with it being school holidays, children and parents should take care.”

Adders are a protected species but dogs are often victims of adder bites. A senior RSPCA spokesman said: “People’s pets are like family members, and it is extremely sad to hear of a dog which has died after apparently being bitten by a snake. Snake bites aren’t common, but Adder bites can cause swelling, bleeding and fever.”