A 22 rifle with a CCI shotshell aimed right in the head would have killed the python and saved the dog. Works great on poisonous snakes at seven yards.
The snake’s head was clamped down on the dog’s snout. That would have to be one precise shot to avoid damaging the dog.
Snakes hate alcohol, especially high proof in strong liquor. Pouring vodka or whiskey on the snake’s head (or preferably solvent-grade ethanol) would have made him let go and uncoil from the dog.
Might work on venomous snakes but won’t work on the big coluboid snakes.
Once a large constrictor has struck and is constricting, the only way to stop it is to break it’s concentration. The best and most reliable way to do that is to make what is in it’s mouth taste really, really bad. Listerine, alcohol, vinegar usually works very well.
Putting a bullet in the snake will cause thrashing and will usually end up killing the animal being constricted that much faster.
Most people don’t understand just how powerful large constrictors are. Death throes of these animals can be quite violent and last a long time.
Even a sharp stick or knife through the top of the very soft and vulnerable skull.
The standard protocol for breaking a constrictor’s bite is rubbing alcohol or vinegar in its mouth.
However, I’m not sure the average person could do it fast enough.
Death is very quick and the internal damage probably irreparable.
I’m for microchipping exotic snakes.
When something happens, there’s a record of who is responsible.
This snake didn’t swim here from Africa.
Hope it is dead.