Snake bite killed my dog
Date published: 06 August 2015
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.”
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