Reports of dogs being injured or killed after confronting venomous snakes have spiked across KwaZulu-Natal this week, according to snake rescuer Nick Evans, who has documented a surge in cases as summer temperatures rise. 

“It’s not been a good week for dogs who have gone after venomous snakes,” Evans said.

He confirmed six incidents in the Greater Durban area and three more between Pietermaritzburg and Howick, noting that the real number is likely higher. 

“There will have been more across the province that I didn’t hear of,” he said. With snakes more active in the warmer months, encounters in gardens are common, and dogs often react instinctively. 

“When a dog sees a snake in the garden, it is deemed a threat, and the dog attempts to kill the snake. This is when they get bitten or spat at.”

Most of the dogs involved this week encountered Mozambique Spitting Cobras, or mF’ezi. Evans said such cases are painful but often not fatal. 

“Fortunately, to a degree I suppose, dogs generally ‘only’ get spat at. While this is extremely painful, it isn’t fatal, and it is far better than a bite from a mamba, for example, which is most often fatal.”

He reminded owners that venom in the eyes requires immediate action. “Venom in the eyes must be rinsed out with running water, ”he said, noting the difficulty of restraining a distressed dog. 

“You either need a few people, or to just take it to the vet. Going to the vet anyway is a good idea… as you may not get all the venom out.”

Two other Durban cases involved gravid Green Mambas searching for nesting sites. Further west, dogs confronted a Black Mamba, a Night Adder, and a Puff Adder; only the Puff Adder survived. 

“Unfortunately, the dogs that attacked the mambas died,” Evans said. 

He praised owners who intervened quickly. “Some of the dog owners reacted exactly as they should, they didn’t stop to record a fight. They instantly got their dogs away, even if the damage was already done in seconds,” he said. 

“Please react that way.”

He added that if a snake is found inside a home, residents can contact a remover rather than risk injury.

Evans said he is continuing to gather information for a provincial database of dog–snake encounters. 

“I am trying to maintain/build up a database of snakebite/spit incidents on dogs throughout KwaZulu-Natal,” he said, adding that he is recording human cases as well.

He asks only for basic information: “Date, approx time, area, dog breed, snake species (preferably with a pic), and what happened to both animals.”

“Help would be appreciated, although I hope you never have to experience that with your dog,” he said, thanking those who have already submitted cases.

THE MERCURY

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