A Durban-based veterinarian is sounding the alarm bell about a troubling trend emerging during confrontations between dogs and snakes: dogs are increasingly being left to face off against venomous snakes – while their owners record the scene through windows. Reptile-aware vet and master’s candidate Dr Carla Goede is now urging pet-owners across the country to intervene rather than film when a snake threatens their dog.

“I’m seeing both dog and snake simply doing what comes naturally – the dog protects its territory or chases a rodent, the snake looks for shelter or prey,” says Dr Goede, who is currently completing a master’s degree via the University of Pretoria’s Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies. “When that standoff happens, the numbers tell a tragic story.”

Dr Goede reports that in the year up to March 2025 alone, around 80 venomous snake-bites in dogs have been recorded in the Greater Durban area by a local snake-catching service. The dogs, she says, were often left to die by owners who kept a camera phone rolling rather than attempting to remove the animal from the threat.

“If the owner refuses to put down the phone and intervene – without placing themselves between dog and serpent – then the vet’s chances of rescuing the dog drop dramatically and the snake-catcher faces a far more dangerous job,” she warns.

National context and local urgency

While precise pet-dog snake-bite statistics are lacking, human snake-bite data emphasise the scope of the problem:

A study published in January found 3 496 snake-bite incidents in South Africa between 2011 and 2023 – an average of about 280 bites a year – with a national prevalence of 5.63 bites per 100 000, and the highest rate being in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) at 8.89 per 100 000.

In KZN, earlier estimates placed the incidence at 16 snake-bites per 100 000 people, with some hot-spots reaching 82 per 100 000.

Recent reports have also raised concerns about a lack of antivenom at local hospitals. This lack is compounded in the event of snake-bites in dogs, because the treatment in dogs is more complex than in humans.

What dog-owners should do

According to Dr Goede, the correct sequence of actions when your dog faces a snake is crucial:

1. Remove the dog from the snake’s range – ideally getting the dog away safely without risking yourself.
2. Rush the dog to a veterinary facility with snake-bite treatment capabilities, antivenom if available.
3. Contact a qualified snake-catcher to remove or relocate the snake.

“Too often,” Dr Goede says, “the owner does not follow these steps, and films the snake vs dog conflict through a window instead… The result is almost always two casualties – one dog that dies, and one injured or dead snake.”

She emphasises that as long as a dog is not between you and the snake, you should act – not just record. “By keeping an eye on your dog rather than your phone screen, you are giving two innocent animals a decent chance of survival.” 

Prevention tips

• Dr Goede offers the following advice to dog-owners:
• Leash dogs when walking in bush-edge, tall grass or yards at dusk and dawn.
• Keep yards clear of debris, woodpiles and rodent-attracting shelters.
• Be informed about venomous snakes in your region (for example both the Black Mamba and the Mozambique Spitting Cobra are found in KZN).
• Never attempt to capture or kill a venomous snake yourself – call a trained professional.
• She warns that dogs are more likely to be bitten on the head or neck (because they engage snakes), whereas humans are typically bitten below the knee. Venom injected in the head or neck enters the bloodstream far more rapidly than limb bites in humans. This is why many dogs die before reaching a veterinary facility – the envenomation acts swiftly and severely.

Antivenom shortages – already a human health crisis – compound the risk for pets.

“In urban and peri-urban areas like Durban, rapid development, habitat encroachment, rodent population growth and warmer weather increase the chance of snake-dog encounters,” Dr Goede notes.

With KZN already among the highest-risk provinces for snake-bite incidents in humans, the situation for pets is no less urgent. For dog-owners, Dr Goede’s warning is clear: when a snake threatens your dog, don’t record the drama – act.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Pretoria.