The bodies of Doberman and the cobras he killed.

BHUBANESWAR: A dog has sacrified his life to save eight members of his master’s family. The male dog belonging to the Doberman species fought a bloody battle with four mountain cobras for hours and killed all of them. Minutes after he emerged victorious, the dog died due to the poisonous effects of repeated stings by the snakes.

According to reports, the mountain snakes late on Monday night tried to sneak into the house of Dibakar Raita of Sebekapur village under Raygada block of Gajapati district, nearly 400 km from here.

The dog which was guarding the house at the entrance hindered them which led to a fierce fight among them. Blood could be seen spilling onto the patio as the pet animal and snakes brawled.

Dibakar had brought the Doberman a few months ago. “I’m shocked. He has made the supreme sacrifice for me and my family. I will remember him till our death. I pray God - May his soul rest in peace,” said an emotionally overpowered Dibakar.

Hundreds of people of nearby areas rushed to the village as the news spread. The villagers laid floral wreaths on the body of the slain dog and held a funeral procession before burying it.

Located on a foothill and surrounded by shrubs, Sebakpur village often experiences wild animals and reptiles from the local hills sneaking into residential houses and animal sheds.