Dog Bitten by 'Dangerously Venomous' Snake in Own Backyard

While playing in its own backyard, a family dog had an unfortunate encounter with one of the world's deadliest snakes.

The incident took place on October 13 in King Scrub in Queensland, Australia, and the dog's owners immediately called in local snake catcher Steve Brown, of Brisbane North Snake Catchers and Relocation.

"The dog bit the snake in half but [she] was still alive when I got there," Brown told Newsweek. He described the snake as a "soon-to-be-mum" and took it to a local vet to be euthanized. The dog also had to be taken to the emergency vet to receive antivenom.

"Fingers crossed the dog pulls through," Brown said.

The snake in question was an eastern brown snake, a species than Brown described as "dangerously venomous."

According to the University of Melbourne's Australian Venom Research Unit, eastern brown snakes have the second-most toxic venom in the world and are responsible for more snakebite fatalities than any other species in Australia. They are responsible for 76 percent of domestic pet snakebites, according to the University of Queensland.

The snake's venom contains a potent neurotoxin that shuts down its victim's heart, diaphragm and lungs, causing suffocation. It can also affect the body's ability to clot blood, resulting in uncontrollable bleeding.

The species is found throughout eastern and southern Australia—hence its name. Its natural habitat overlaps with some of the country's most populated areas, so it isn't uncommon to find them in people's homes and backyards.

According to the University of Queensland, pet dogs are particularly vulnerable to the eastern brown snake's venom, with only 31 percent of bitten dogs surviving without treatment with antivenom. By contrast, untreated cats are twice as likely to survive. Experts believe this is because dogs naturally have faster clotting blood, and therefore are more vulnerable to venom that stops the clotting process.

Newsweek contacted the dog's owners, who said it's still recovering from the altercation.

Brown shared a photo of the bitten snake to his Facebook page, Brisbane North Snake Catchers and Relocation, pointing out that the "young girl" was starting to develop eggs.

The post has received hundreds of likes and dozens of comments from concerned users.

"Poor baby. Rest in Peace beautiful girl," said one user.

"Would've been very tough to attend this one," said another. "Hope the pupper is ok."

Despite the snake's deadly venom, eastern brown snakes very rarely attack people or pets, and they will only bite if they feel harassed or threatened. Therefore, if you ever find a snake on your property, the best thing to do is to always call in a professional.