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(Image: cbslocal.com)

A python slithered into a family's back yard and crushed their pet Husky to death as they watched in horror.

The 10ft long African rock python wrapped itself around the 60lb dog, named Duke, as it exercised in the garden in Florida.

The family desperately called 911 as they watched the horrific attack unfold in front of their eyes.

The owner, who refused to be named, said her son tried to wrestle the snake from the dog's neck and slashed at it with garden shears.

WARNING: Readers may find the following pictures distressing

(Image: Splash News)

(Image: Splash News)

She told CBS Miami: "He tried to take [the snake] away from [Duke's] neck with his hands, his bare hands.

"It was so strong, he couldn't do it. He ran out inside, he got gardening scissors. He tried to cut it off. It didn't work."

Sadly the Husky died before emergency services arrived on the scene.

(Image: Splash News)

It is not known when the python slid into the family's backyard, in an area southeast of Tamiami Trail and Krome Avenue in Miami where a colony of snakes had been breeding.

The snake was killed and is being sent to the University of Florida for a necropsy.

Now wildlife officials are expanding efforts to find and eradicate African rock pythons in Miami-Dade County after the shocking attack.