Distraught dog owner issues warning after pet dies from suspected adder bite

A DISTRAUGHT dog owner has warned of a deadly snake in the grass which she claims killed her pet dog.

Dianne Cook, married to a Delph undertaker, says Patch, her nine-year-old Jack Russell, died in agony less than 24 hours after being bitten by an adder.

photo(1)
DISTRAUGHT: Dianne Cook

Mrs Cook , 63, says the incident occurred when she took Patch for a walk down a lane near her family’s business on King Street.

“Patch ran off into long grass,” she explained. “Some minutes later, he returned and accompanied me home.

“He seemed tired and began scratching his neck. When I examined him, I noticed his neck was swollen and there were two lumps, like bite marks, on the right side.

“I was very worried and contacted a vet, explaining my concerns and saying I thought he could have been bitten by an adder.

“I arranged to take Patch to the vet the following day but on that morning he just convulsed and died by my side. I’m absolutely devastated.”

Mrs Cook, a mother of two, ran a pet shop in Shaw for more than three years where she sold exotic pets including snakes.

She and her husband David, who have two other pet dogs, opened their independent undertakers business in Delph 15 years ago.

She added: “I’ve never seen any adders around the village this year but with it being school holidays, children and parents should be warned to take care.”

Dogs are often victims of adders, which are a protected species, due to their nature of exploring undergrowth and their general inquisitiveness.

A senior RSPCA spokesman said: “People’s pets are like family members, and it is extremely sad to hear of a dog which has died after apparently being bitten by a snake.

“Snake bites are not common, but can happen. Adder bites can be dangerous to pets. The bite causes swelling, bleeding and fever.

“If anyone is concerned their dog has been bitten by a snake it is vital they take their pet straight to a vet, even if they are not sure exactly what type of snake it was.

“If someone does spot the snake and is able to describe it to the vet, this may help assist them and ensure their pet is correctly treated.”

Last month, pet lovers were warned to be on the lookout for snakes after two dogs died from adder bites in the south of England.

One of the victims, a King Charles spaniel, was put down after being bitten in a garden in Canvey Island, Essex.