UPDATE: SNAKES are killing pets and threatening residents in a court in Melbourne’s southeast.­

Cranbourne resident Barbara McDougall, who was bitten by a tiger snake last week, said three of her neighbours’ dogs in Delray Court had been killed in the last two weeks.

Speaking to the Leader after three days recovering in Dandenong Hospital, Mrs McDougall said she was badly shaken by the experience.

“It was absolutely terrifying,” Mrs McDougall said.

“I was putting my rubbish out on Wednesday when a 1m-long tiger snake grabbed my leg and wouldn’t let go. I was screaming and shaking my leg as hard as I could until I finally got it off.

“But I was also very lucky. One of my neighbours heard my screams and drove me to my doctor, who bandaged my leg and called triple-0. I was rushed to hospital by ambulance and underwent three days of treatment.”

Mrs McDougall said she had lived in the court for 39 years and had never known a season like this one for snakes.

“From what I’ve heard, they’re in plague proportions in this area,” she said.

“We’ve got a lot of grassland behind us and it’s very worrying. I’m not game to have my grandchildren here now until the summer is over.”

Mrs McDougall’s neighbour, Michelle, told 3AW that her Jack Russell was killed when it was bitten by a tiger snake earlier this month.

“About a day and a half later my neighbour’s two dogs were both bitten and killed by another tiger snake,” she said.

“They were both young snakes.”

Michelle said this year was the worst she had seen for snakes.

“Our problem is that we live between the Cranbourne racecourse and we have an area of bush which then borders the back of the botanical gardens, and the joint is lousy with them.”

“Just about all of us have had snakes in our backyards.”

Narre Warren South veterinary surgeon, Dr Bob Cavey said it was definitely a bad year for snakes.

“I’ve had at least three calls since Christmas from pet owners over snakebite,” Dr Cavey said.

“And coming out of hibernation, the venom is particularly poisonous. A bite on the mouth from a tiger snake can kill a dog in 15 minutes.”

Snake catcher Barry Goldsmith said he had not seen a dramatic increase in snake numbers this year.

“But more people are coming in contact with them as housing development continues,” Mr Goldsmith said.

“Every time a new house goes up a habitat disappears, bringing snakes closer to people where they live.”

HANDLING SNAKEBITE

n Ask patient not to move

n Apply a broad crepe bandage over bite

n Seek medical help quickly

n Do NOT wash venom off skin or cut bitten area

n Do NOT try to suck venom out of wound or use a tourniquet

n Do NOT try to catch the snake.