My saviour: Seventeen-month-old Charlotte Svilicic with Khan the doberman who rescued her from a deadly brown snake.
Posted on 10/30/2007 7:10:44 PM PDT by Stoat
Dog saves girl from snake
31Oct07
My saviour: Seventeen-month-old Charlotte Svilicic with Khan the doberman who rescued her from a deadly brown snake.
A NEGLECTED doberman adopted by a loving family last week has saved their toddler from being bitten by a deadly king brown snake.
Seventeen-month-old Charlotte Svilicic was playing in the garden of the family’s Atherton home on Monday when Khan the doberman grabbed her by the back of the nappy and threw her clear of the approaching snake.
The heroic pooch was bitten by the snake after saving the toddler but is recovering after a dose of anti-venom.
In an amazing twist, Khan’s breeder revealed his grandfather had saved a child in similar circumstances.
Charlotte’s mother Catherine Svilicic yesterday told The Cairns Post Khan had saved the child’s life and the family would be forever indebted.
"If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it," Ms Svilicic said.
"Khan was really concentrating and was acting aggressive towards Charlotte and kept trying to nudge her but it wasn’t working, so he grabbed her by the back of the nappy and threw her more than a metre.
"Charlotte looked pretty shocked and then Khan screamed.
"I realised quickly it was a snake and Khan had been trying to get in between her and the snake before he threw her."
After being bitten, Khan ran inside and collapsed. He was given a shot of anti-venom by a vet and had a tough night on Monday but managed to survive and eat a large breakfast yesterday, despite the ordeal.
Mrs Svilicic said the family had only had Khan for four days, and they were moved by Khan’s selfless and protective act.
"When Kerry Kinder (Doberinling Boarding Kennels owner) rescued him, he was starving, had broken ribs and had been beaten – he was an abused dog," she said.
"It was borderline on whether or not he should be put down because he was in such a bad way."
Mrs Svilicic said Khan would spend the rest of his life in luxury.
"If Khan wants a gold bowl, Khan gets it. We owe him for the rest of his life,’’ she said.
Mrs Kinder bred Khan and rescued him after discovering he was being mistreated.
"He was starving for attention and wanted to be loved because he came from an abused home, so I’m not surprised about what he has done at his new home."
An Atherton snake expert believes Khan escape death because the snake was not able to inject a large amount of venom.
did you ever see the obscure movie ‘Eyes of an Angel’ with John Travolta? Although it says it’s a true story I can’t find proof of that but like it anyway. This story reminded me of it.
A true dog of action!
Most humans probably wouldn’t have such calmness, courage, and presence of mind. Being so new to the family, Khan would have been in big trouble if the little girl was hurt when he flung her. Selflessly, he risked everything to protect her.
Good doggie
I LOVE my dog.
KHAAAAANNNN!!!!
Awwwww, good doggie ping.
thanks for posting that Joe!
Good Dog. I click on the link for the pdf and Kahn still looks a little pale around the muzzle. What a wonderful champion this little one has in the family now.
Sorry typo. Clicked. blush.
We can never repay them for all they do for us. People who mistreat these wonderful creatures are beneath contempt!
Something similar happened to my mom when she was very small, but the snake was a rattler, and the dog was a German Sheperd. The dog took the snake out.
Years ago, I was swimming in the Lake of the Ozarks with 3 friends when their grandparent’s dog started barking like crazy from the dock which we were very close to. We were in our early teens, and didn’t get the message. The dog (an Irish Setter) jumped in with us, and the next thing we knew (it happened so fast) the dog was on the shore. The water moccasin hanging from his mouth was dead. We all got out of the water very quickly.
Dogs are the most wonderful creatures God gave us.
Thanks for the translation. I take a ‘nappy’ every afternoon at 1:00!
...the Almighty, who gave the dog to be companion of our pleasures and our toils, hath invested him with a nature noble and incapable of deceit.
-Sir Walter Scott
Beautiful pics, on your home page. I’m on my third Dobe now. The third (turd as we call her occasionally) has been a real challenge compared to the other two though.
St. Francis does watch over us.
What a wonderful dog.
We, too, rescued an abused dog. She was so humble she would only crawl in our presence. Now she loves to run and play. She makes a very good friend.
God bless and protect Khan all the days of his life, and may his days be greatly extended for his heroic deed.
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