Bad Day for Fido Down Under

[T-post Tom]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapc...ef=mpstoryview

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) -- 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. Watch snake handler show off dog-eating python »

"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 moved to the bush, Douglas said.

[pr_capone]

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

"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.

How stupid can people be?

Here is a novel idea. Put the dog inside the house until the snake goes away or is removed.

Nah.... that would be to big of a hassle. Instead, lets let the kids watch the snake eat the family pet. That would be worlds better.

But then again... it WAS a Chihuahua.

[DaFace]

Eh, it's just a little rat dog. The world's probably a better place.

[Bump]

they're lucky it didn't eat the kids

[xbarretx]

first of all this story is f'd up. yes the family is

#1 (as stated above) if you see a god 16 ft snake near your HOUSE (or your dogs bed) you get it the F out of there! that puts your kids in danger!!!!!!!

#2 i really hate the part where it says "pulling the dog out might hurt the snake" ... sorry but who the f cares. yes its a Chihuahua but come on...if a snake tries to eat my Yorkie then that snake is dieing a morbidly slow and painfull death that would make Hannibal cringe. F the snake and F the parents for putting there kids at risk. they should be thankful that it wasnt one of the kids... i can just imagine now..


parent 1 - "oh honey look theres a 16 ft snake outside in the dogs bed (or house)"

parent 2 - "oh? well lets just wait this thing out..im sure it will go away and not eat our kids or anything like that."

parent 1 - "indeed, lets go drink some Fosters to help time pass"

parent 2 - "oYe"

**fast forward a few days**

parent 1 - "hmm i wonder what ever happend to that overly large reptile that was hiding in our back yard?"

Children - "screaming!!!!!!!!!!!!"

snake - *eating dog*

parent 2 "oh, well maybe we should call animal control or something"

parent 1 - " dont worry about the dog kids, lets go have cookies and sunny D"

**ending** everyone live happily ever after.



p.s. no not that hannibal

[T-post Tom]

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