When a deadly snake slithered toward two children in a Queensland backyard, the family’s cat stepped in between them. Arthur saved the kids, but in the chaos no one noticed what it had cost him.
The Backyard Showdown
Arthur, a domestic shorthair, lived with his family on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. He was following the two young children around the backyard when an eastern brown snake, one of Australia’s top 10 most venomous snakes, came up to where they were playing.
According to Animal Emergency Service, “Arthur jumped into action protecting his young family” and killed the snake. But he was bitten in the fight, receiving a fatal dose of venom.
A Bite No One Saw
With the snake gone and the children hurried to safety, nobody saw the bite. Arthur collapsed for a moment but seemed to recover quickly, so his family thought nothing was wrong.
The next morning, he couldn’t stand. His family rushed him to the vet, but his symptoms were too severe, and he could not be saved. Staff at Animal Emergency Service, which treated Arthur, said he was well known to them as a mischievous cat who had visited after accidents before and was “very much loved by our team.”
Why the Venom Is So Dangerous
The eastern brown snake’s venom is ranked the second most toxic of any land snake in the world, and the snake is known for its speed, aggression and bad temper. Its bite can cause progressive paralysis and stop the blood from clotting, which can lead to collapse within minutes.
Animal Emergency Service pointed out that collapse is a common symptom of snake bites in pets, although many owners don’t know it.
A Family’s Grief and Gratitude
Arthur’s family was devastated but grateful that he saved the children’s lives. Animal Emergency Service shared his story on Facebook on February 14, 2021, in a tribute that drew an outpouring of grief and praise from social media users who hailed him as a four-legged hero.
Protecting Your Pets From Snakes
Snakes are a fact of life in many parts of the world, and a few simple steps can lower the risk to pets and kids:
- Keep the yard tidy. Trim long grass and clear wood piles, rubbish and debris where snakes shelter.
- Know the signs. Sudden collapse, weakness, wobbling or vomiting after time outdoors calls for an urgent vet visit, even if your pet seems to recover.
- Get pet insurance. Emergency vet bills for envenomation can run into the thousands, so compare pet insurance plans with accident cover.
- Secure the property. Snake-proof fencing and professional pest control can help.
- Prepare for emergencies. Save the number of your nearest 24-hour emergency vet and keep a pet first-aid kit at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Arthur? Arthur, a family cat in Queensland, Australia, killed an eastern brown snake that came near two children, but was bitten and died of the venom.
Why didn’t the family notice the bite? In the rush to get the children to safety, no one saw it, and Arthur recovered briefly after collapsing.
How venomous is the eastern brown snake? Its venom is ranked the second most toxic of any land snake in the world, and it can cause paralysis and stop blood from clotting.
Is collapse a symptom of snake bite in pets? Yes. Animal Emergency Service says it’s a common symptom, although not well known among pet owners.
Sources: CTV News, Malay Mail, Mothership, and Gulf Today, all covering the February 2021 death of Arthur the cat after protecting two children from an eastern brown snake in Queensland, Australia, and Animal Emergency Service’s tribute.
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