Why didn't they just take an ax to that critter? Cowering in fear is no way to live!

Robert, San Francisco, CA/USA

I'm glad everyone has their priorities in order in Australia. Doesn't seem to be a good match in the land of the most dangerous reptiles.

David Sullivan, Jacksonville, USA Florida

Somebody should tell Mr Peric a shovel can be used for other things besides planting Geraniums.

Three years ago a 9' Coachwhip tried to attack my spaniel in our backyard and I took a shovel to it right quick.

I have guns but that would have taken too long, the shovel was right around the corner.

But then, I REALLY do consider my dogs part of the family.

I don't just talk the talk, I also walk the walk.

Don, Morgantown, IN

"The snake was there first..."

Yeah, and? So were fleas, ticks, rats, mice, polio, small pox ... and that doesn't stop us from killing them. In fact, we've intentionally extincted small pox. I think the mosquito should be the first multicellular organism targeted for intentional extinction and I can think of some modern biotechnologies can could be developed for the purpose. As for the snakes, just kill them were they are a problem.

Bruce, San Jose, California

I'm thankful I don't live in a place like Australia where I have to cower and wait for help if an animal or person invades my home. I would've taken care of that snake myself.

It's sad to watch.

Jake, Jefferson City, MO

Hmmm. If guns weren't banned in AU, that python would be history and the dof may have lived.

Dave, Evanston, USA/Illinois

"That's really amusing coming from an American whose forefathers moved into a country and began slaughtering the indigenous inhabitants en masse."

I somehow doubt that Trixie participated in genocide 180 years ago. Don't punish the sons for the sins of the fathers. It's counterproductive.

However, I disagree with her sentiment. The snake is an animal and takes the backseat to human survival insofar as it is a threat. Considering that the homeowner has small children, he should take a shovel to the reptile post-haste.

Samwise, Houston, Texas

Those pesky pythons. Not too long ago, a lady in Singapore lost her Jack Russell to a python while she was walking it in a busy urban area!

Snakes WILL be snakes.

http://singaporesnakes.blogspot.com/2006/11/python-squeezes-pet-dog-to-death-at_21.html

Robin Rheaume, Singapore, Singapore

You will kill the snake who brunched on your pets...what about other snakes, who might be lurking somewhere behind your house..Killing is not a solution.
I understand that life of dear ones is more valuable than a life of a killer snake..but i m just saying that killing should be the last option.You make an issue of it. Try to get all such snakes caught in your vicinity by some specialist. Make traps for them around your house..Get a bigger and stronger pet..;-) and be more vigilant, after all you have trespassed into land which belonged to these animals.

Arun Raina, Mumbai, India

"They were here first."
That's really amusing coming from an American whose forefathers moved into a country and began slaughtering the indigenous inhabitants en masse.

Teddy Barnaby, Darlaston,

Wow. I love how you people think. "Just kill the snake!" The snake was just doing what snakes do. It's the parent's fault for not doing something after the damn thing started eating every animal they own. But no, they wait til it eats their dog too before calling someone to remove it. Thank god they didn't kill it. If people are going to spread so far that snakes are forced to adapt to suburbia in an effort to survive then people need to deal with it. They were here first.

Trixie Dotson, houston, Texas USA

Who cares if its against the law - kill the snake.

All persons have an inalienable human right to defend themselves and their property - this right should never be abridged by any law. The snake came onto their land, and destroyed their property, and threatens to injure or kill their children. Exercise your right to defend yourself and kill the snake.

Jeff, Minneapolis, MN, USA

They should've killed the snake anyway to be safe. I understand how snakes kill their prey, and we don't know exactly when the family noticed the situation. Regardless, they have two small children and this same snake killed 3 of their family pets. A animal's life does not have as much value as a human life. It's only a matter of time before the animal makes an attempt on one of their children. Better safe than sorry I say.

BlackOasis, Philly, PA

BlackOasis, Philly, PA wrote - "The story I read said that it took 30 minutes for the snake to swallow the dog. "

Pythons constrict their prey, killing it by suffocation before eating it. They NEVER eat live animals, if the family didn't get there before the dog was suffocated it was too late to save it.

Glenn, Aberdare, Wales

Sorry, but the dog was almost certainly dead before it was swallowed - the snake will have crushed it to suffocate it first. Probably a blessing. So killing the snake at that stage wouldn't have saved it. I am amazed that they didn't take steps to get rid of the beastie after it ate their first pet, rather than waiting for it to eat the rest, specially after they found it in the dog basket. Darwins rules in play, I'm afraid.

Anna, Kendal, UK

In reply to some of the USA comments:
Australia has bush, fortunately not George bush.
Lacking evidence of weapons of mass destruction,
there was no reason for killing the offending snakes.
Better late then never for the Australians, this attitude a century
ago might have saved more of Australians unique heritage.
Max ZA

max, capetown, ZA

"In Australia all native wildlife is respected and protected by law."


Ah, so all domesticated animal life is just screwed. Got ya.


This story is so stupid. Protected wildlife or not, you're telling me this family doesn't have a gun or an axe? They obviously live in an area where they should have tools such as those. You take the axe and chop the snake at the neck so the dog can breathe and hopefully his body wont be crushed by that time. The story I read said that it took 30 minutes for the snake to swallow the dog. You tryin to tell me that isn't enough time to save it. What's the python gonna possibly do? He's eating for Christ's sake!! I bet if it was one of their children that 'watched in horror' excuse wouldn't hold up.

BlackOasis, Philly, PA

That picture is disgusting, was it necessary to print that view? Glad I live in England, wouldn't want anything swallowing my darling doggie or grandchildren.

redandover60, Hayes, Middlesex, England

Here's another silly question. How many people are going to bother wether it's agaoinst the law or not? Kill it, and dispose of it. Job done, and nobody any the wiser.

Teddy Barnaby, Darlaston,

In answering Julia Howell's question:

In Australia all native wildlife is respected and protected by law. We are happy to call the appropriate authorities to remove the animal and re-house back into the bush, faraway from suburbia.

Dianne, Melbourne, Australia

Most probably because in Australia native animals are protected by law.

Annette, Edinburgh,

Probably a silly question but why didn't someone kill the snake when he ate the first pet?

Julia Howell, Marietta, Georgia USA