KwaZulu-Natal Family Mourns Loss of Pet Dog After Fatal Green Mamba Bite

• A family from Newlands in KwaZulu-Natal lost their dog after it had a fatal encounter with the deadly green mamba
• Despite efforts to rescue the 11-year-old mastiff, including using anti-venom, the dog died
• South Africans mourned the dog's death, and some blamed the owners for not being careful and caring enough

For seven years, Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered accidents, fires, outbreaks, nature, weather and natural disaster-related incidents at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

NEWLANDS, KWAZULU-NATAL — An 11-year-old mastiff was fatally bitten by a green mamba in Newlands, KwaZulu-Natal on 13 April 2025. Attempts to save the dog's life were in vain as it did not survive the night.

What happened to the mastiff?

According to TimesLIVE, Bokkie was bitten, and a snake catcher was called. Snake catcher Jason Arnold reached out for help and a trained life support paramedic and accredited K9 medic Van Reenen responded. He arrived on the scene and found the dog in a critical condition. Van Reenen and Arnold worked to stabilise it with the help of a veterinarian on the line.

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The team made efforts to raise enough money to transport him to a veterinary hospital, and they succeeded. Bokkie was transferred to Westville Veterinary Hospital and was placed on a mechanical ventilator to aid its recovery. She also received anti-venom. However, it didn't make the night and passed away.

Is it common for dogs to be bitten?

Arnold said pets are regularly bitten in Durban. He said some breeds are driven by an in-built hunting instinct to protect their families by hunting down anything in the home that moves and is perceived to be a threat. He said some dogs would bark at the snake until it left while others would get into a fight and try to kill the snake.

Incidents involving snake bites

• A Bloemfontein man reportedly committed suicide when he allowed a snake to bite him to evade arrest after he was caught with over 70 exotic animals
• A puff adder bit a teenager on his hand in KwaZulu-Natal in January this year, and his mother shared an image of the extent of the bite
• A Mpumalanga man died in February after a snake fatally bit him in his genitals
• A puff adder bit a woman in the Free State and she shared an image of the snake bite
• A viral video showed a lion engaged in mortal combat with a cobra in March, and the incident happened in Zimbabwe

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South Africans comment on the incident

Netizens commenting on SABC News' Facebook post discussed the snake bite.

Elizah Linda said:

"Some owners are negligent and irresponsible. Keep your dogs away from snakes, and call in a snake removal to assist."

Michelle amiss said:

"Condolences on the loss of a family pet."

Candice Dock said:

"I am wondering if this is direct result of the fact that we have no anti-venom in this country thanks to the ANC for the mismanagement of the National Institute?"

Zinhle Dube said:

"RIP sweetheart."

Robyn Emily said:

"Poor dog."

Man nonchalant as snake bites him in video

In a related article, Briefly News reported that a man stunned netizens when a snake bit him and he did not react. A video of the incident went viral.

In the video, the snake is coiled around his arm. It suddenly bites him and he barely reacts to the bite.

Source: Briefly News