A Durban-based veterinarian has warned of a new trend whereby pet owners film their dogs during stand-offs with venomous snakes.

With KZN already among the highest-risk provinces for snake bites in humans, pets face similar danger.

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Dr Carla Goede urges owners to intervene – without putting themselves at risk of a snake bite – rather than filming when a snake threatens their dog.

“I’m seeing both dog and snake simply doing what comes naturally; the dog protects its territory or chases a rodent, the snake looks for shelter or prey. When that stand-off happens, the numbers tell a tragic story,” said Dr Goede.

“If the owner refuses to put down the phone and intervene – without placing themselves between dog and serpent – the vet’s chances of rescuing the dog drop dramatically and the snake-catcher faces a far more dangerous job.

“Too often, the owner does not follow these steps, and films the snake vs dog conflict through a window instead. The result is almost always two casualties – one dog that dies, and one injured or dead snake.”

Dr Goede advises pet owners to:

1. Remove the dog from the snake’s range without risking yourself

2. Rush the dog to a vet that has snake-bite treatment and antivenom

3. Contact a qualified snake catcher to remove or relocate the snake

Local snake catchers’ comment

“They are just plain stupid if they don’t realise what some snakes are capable of doing to their dogs. Most dogs might not even survive a bite from a highly venomous snake,” said Richards Bay snake catcher Peter ‘Daring’ Daniel.

Although he has not heard of such behaviour in the Zululand region, Hluhluwe snake catcher Donald Schultz said snake bites on dogs are common in northern Zululand.

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“It’s a sign of our times, right? The parts of social media I do see, everyone’s so keen on filming that they don’t help.

“Some of the dangers are, if you’re filming, you aren’t fully focused on what’s happening, so the snake can come towards you and bite you.

“Ethically, it’s bad because something’s going to die, either the dog or the snake, or both.

“It’s not necessary to have them die for an Instagram or TikTok video. Why even take a chance?”

Schultz says, in many cases, the dogs won’t make it to hospital for treatment.

Additionally, vet bills and antivenom treatment are costly, ranging from R5 000 to R30 000, along with dogs risking losing an eye or ear.

What to do

• If you see a snake, lock up your pets and children
• Spray the snake with a hosepipe
• Contact a qualified snake catcher to remove the snake
• If cobra venom gets in a dog’s eye, wash it out with water

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