Dog owners have been given a stark warning after a family’s Jack Russell died after being attacked by a venomous snake in the UK.
The family dog, Donnie, was out being walked by Logan Mathers, 17, last week on Wednesday in Thetford Forest, Suffolk.
Suddenly, an adder shot out and bit the two-year-old Jack Russell on the face and was taken straight to a vet for treatment while slipping in and out of consciousness.
Logan’s 19 year-old-sister, Molly, rushed to meet her brother who was left ‘traumatised’, and little Donnie’s health deteriorated despite being given anti-venom medication and antibiotics.
Sadly, the beloved family pet died in the early hours of Saturday morning, mother Ali said.
She said: ‘The whole family went over on Saturday morning to say goodbye to our beautiful boy.
‘He really was so full of life.
‘We are absolutely heartbroken and just can’t believe it. We want to stop another dog being hurt.
The family dog, Donnie, was out being walked by Logan Mathers, 17, last week on Wednesday in Thetford Forest, Suffolk
Suddenly, an adder shot out and bit the two-year-old Jack Russell on the face and was taken straight to a vets for treatment while slipping in and out of consciousness. Picture: Stock image
Sadly, the beloved family pet died in the early hours of Saturday morning
Mother Ali said: ‘The whole family went over on Saturday morning to say goodbye to our beautiful boy’
‘Donnie is going to be cremated so he can be with us always.’
The family have now been left with a £4,000 bill for their dog’s treatment due to complications that led to him becoming brain dead and having to be euthanised.
Adders – which are Britain’s only venomous snakes – are emerging from hibernation at this time of year.
The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) advise that swelling can cause serious problems to dogs if bitten on the face or neck – and the venom can cause severe illness and death.
A spokeswoman for Norfolk Wildlife Trust said: ‘Adders will rarely bite unless provoked, but of course, this can be accidental.
‘Dogs, unfortunately, can be at risk as they are naturally inquisitive and can inadvertently find themselves in the adders’ preferred habitat.
‘It’s wise for dog owners to keep their pets to the path or under close control in areas where adders are likely to be found during March to October.’
