A devastated dog owner is warning of the danger of snakes after her young dog was killed while playing at a popular Newport park.
Williamstown resident Kylie Champion said her Great Dane cross Fini was bitten a number of times by a tiger snake at Newport Riverside Park on October 2.
“My partner Beth took our dog down to the dog park. Some of the grass was a bit long and Fini has come out with a snake in her mouth. People were trying to get the snake off her but she seemed to think it was a bit of a game.”
By the time Fini and the snake could be separated it had bitten her repeatedly. Ms Champion said her partner rushed Fini to the vet where she was given antivenom and placed on a respirator. But Fini’s condition deteriorated and she died two days later.
Now Ms Champion is being consoled by the community and friends, who have organised a special event to commemorate Fini and help pay the vet bills. The gathering will be at Newport Lakes Reserve from 10am-2pm on Sunday, October 30, and feature live entertainment, a barbecue and stalls.
Ms Champion recalls, “We had had Fini 18 months and had been to that park a lot. We’d never heard of anyone being bitten there.”
Hobsons Bay council chief executive Chris Eddy said the council routinely mowed Newport Riverside Park as it was aware it had become a popular spot for dog owners to let their pets run. “The grass has been growing quickly after the recent rain so we’ve increased the frequency of our mowing.”
Mr Eddy said that with warmer weather, snakes would become more active in and around local parks and reserves. “Council advises owners to be sensible and keep dogs on leads in areas where snakes might be present.”
While upset by the loss of Fini, Ms Champion said: “People put their own personal safety at risk trying to help her at the time.”
