Pet owners are being warned to be vigilant after a number of snake bite cases and numerous sightings around Hobsons Bay this month.
On Monday, a snake was spotted near Altona dog beach by Kristen Hurley, while she was walking her dogs.
“A tiger snake crossed the path no more than two or three meters in front of us,” she said. “It was headed for the beach.
A week earlier, another visitor to Altona dog beach, Talia Rodder, posted a photo on Facebook of a tiger snake in the seaweed.
Altona Vet Clinic recently treated one dog for a snake bite and referred two other pets for emergency treatment.
Lort Smith Animal Hospital has seen a record number of snake bite cases this October, with more than 20 cat and dog patients so far.
Hobsons Bay chief executive Chris Eddy said the council used a licensed snake catcher to “safely remove the snake and release it into a conservation reserve”.
“There are no formal guidelines as to where snakes may be relocated but, as snakes are territorial, the licensed snake catcher relocates them to a considerable distance from where they were caught.”
“There have been sightings at all of our coastal reserves from Cyril Curtin Reserve in Williamstown through to Truganina Park and Skeleton Creek.”
To contact the council’s snake catcher, call 9932 1000.
