By NICOLE VALICEK
A WILLIAMSTOWN woman got the shock of her life after she discovered a venomous intruder making itself at home in her kitchen pantry last week.
Sally Hicks said if it was not for her Tibetan Spaniel Gemma, the Tiger snake that slithered unnoticed inside the house would have been left there for her children to discover.
Mrs Hicks said she was sitting at her desk at home when the dog started barking and did not stop when asked.
“I thought that was really odd she was still barking when I asked her to stop. It was a real warning sort of bark,” she said.
She realised Gemma’s bark was directed at the kitchen and on inspection realised the pantry door was left open and there was half a snake’s head popping out.
Mrs Hick said she was quite close to the snake at that stage.
She grabbed the dog and phone and rang the council who contacted the snake catcher while Mrs Hicks stood where she could monitor the reptile.
“I had no idea the snake was in the house if it wasn’t for the dog warning me,” she said.
Mrs Hick said if the snake had gone unnoticed she would have left the house with the intruder still inside.
And the first thing her two children, Lily, 11, and Evi, 7, do when they get home is head straight to the pantry.
“They would have got more than they bargained for,” she said.
Mrs Hick said the snake catcher came within half an hour but she was shocked to discover that the Williamstown Hospital does not stock anti venom.
“I know the vets stock anti venom for cats and dogs but the hospital doesn’t stock it for people,” she said.
Mrs Hick said she was particularly concerned for the nearby Williamstown High school with fears new ponds could be attracting the reptiles with reported siting inside school buildings this year.
“There have always been snakes in the rifle range but there have never been three large ponds full of frogs close to the high school to bring snakes even closer,” she said.
“We’re lucky to have wet lands and wild lifebut we need to manage the risks that go with that.”
Western Health’s Executive Director of Operations, Russell Harrison said snake bite victims are treated at Western Health’s Western Hospital and Sunshine Hospital sites, which both stock antivenom.
“If a snake bite victim presented at Williamstown Hospital, the patient would be treated with supportive care and the pressure immobilisation technique would be applied, which delays the movement of venom, before being transferred to Western Hospital.”
Mrs Hicks and husband Tony want the community, the council and Williamstown Hospital to work together to stock antivenom at the hospital.
“It’s just a matter of time I think before someone gets hurt,” she said.
Hobsons Bay City Council has logged 38 snake-sightings reported by members of the public since 4 April.
The council can assist with snake removal whether on public or private land. If a snake is on your property, in a reserve or on the roadside and is causing a concern to you, please contact 9932 1000.
