Multiple dogs, including two cavoodles, killed by dugite snakes in Secret Harbour

Rachel FennerSound Telegraph
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Camera IconBear and Bonnie died after they were bitten by a dugite in their backyard. Credit: Supplied

The return of warm weather has led to multiple dogs being killed by snakes in Perth’s southern suburbs.

Charis Bee found her two pet cavoodles dead in the backyard on Wednesday alongside the remains of a baby dugite.

Following their deaths, the Secret Harbour mum issued a warning on social media to other pet owners.

“Reminder to be mindful of snakes this summer,” she wrote.

“Tonight both of my girls were killed by a dugite. Looks like they found and attacked it because it died too. Numb.”

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Ms Bee told the Sound Telegraph this wasn’t the first time she’d found a snake in her yard.

“They have killed them before,” she said.

“I found them after the fact . . . they were already dead. I never heard any commotion even though I was home.”

Just metres away from Ms Bee’s address Morgan Rose said she’d also lost her dog after it was bitten by a baby dugite.

Kel Laurent is a qualified snake relocator, and runs The Walking Dog Trainer.

Mr Laurent said snakes became more active at this time of year and he had seen an increase in dogs being bitten.

Camera IconThe dogs’ owner Charis found the snake dead in her backyard alongside the dogs’ bodies. Credit: Supplied

“The baby ones are feisty, and even though they are small, they can be quite erratic,” he said.

“They are genetically programmed to go out and find a safe space when they are born.

“This year has been busy and there’s more coming because the weather and environment has been quite suitable for breeding.

“The season started early because of the right conditions within the food chain — there’s more mice, more frogs.”

He said most dogs could be trained to avoid snakes with training.

“Most dogs are going to go for a snake. That’s just a normal instinctive behaviour,” he said.

“I teach the dogs about making good decisions, life-saving decisions.”

People interested in training their dogs can find Mr Laurent via his website at thewalkingdogtrainer.com.au or on Facebook at facebook.com/thewalkingdogtrainer.

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