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Pet’s death spreads fear of snakes

A pet Chihuahua died after being bitten by one of the deadliest snakes in the country in a residential area in Dubai three days ago,

Raising safety concerns among residents who now fear for their lives, especially children’s.

Had it not been for two-and-a-half-year-old Bella, who came in between her owner and the snake in Mirdif, her owner would have been the victim.

As she was taking her routine walk around 10pm on July 24, Fatima’s (name changed for privacy) dog suddenly sprinted towards a patch of overgrown grass on the roadside. “I ran after my dog and put a foot forward to check what was there,” said Fatima.

“In a split second, Bella jumped between me and the snake which struck at that very moment and bit Bella on the leg,” said a visibly 
distraught Fatima. The dog had been with the family since it was born.

“We rushed Bella to a nearby veterinary (clinic) and were told there was no anti-venom. The other option was rushing to Rashid Hospital which was far off and we did not have that much time,” she explained.

It was nearly midnight when Fatima went to a vet in Arabian Ranches. By then, Bella was whelping in pain and the bitten leg had started turning a reddish-purple.

By 6.30am the next morning, Fatima was told Bella had died despite all efforts.

The vet’s report concluded that there were noticeable puncture marks on the left paw caused by a snakebite.

The snake, caught and killed three hours later, was identified as a Saw-Scale Viper — the deadliest snake in the UAE characterised with a venom so strong that it causes systematic symptoms including hemorrhage, acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

“I saw my dog suffer so much,” said Fatima, adding that staying in the place is a risk for her two children.

Residents have spotted several snakes and scorpions in the residential compound over the past few months. The deadly reptiles have been seen in various sizes and colours appearing at doorsteps and hiding in bushes in gardens.

A UAE national resident of the area told Khaleej Times that a similar incident occurred to her nearly one year ago. “It was late evening and as I was heading towards my car, I heard a loud hissing sound from my front door,” she explained.

“It was only due to the sound that I missed stepping on a brown-coloured, medium-length snake. Listening to stories and seeing with one’s own’s eyes is different,” she added.

Following the incident, Fatima also lodged a complaint with the Dubai Municipality which sprinkles reptile-repellent powders in front of all houses once a week. “It is apparent these medicines are not working,” said Fatima. The couple also intends to hire a lawyer to take up the issue.

A flimsy fence separates the park — said to be a wildlife conservation area — from the residential community. “We want to stay safe and that is why we want a boundary wall to be built in place of a fence,” said the residents, adding that the wildlife should not be able to enter residential areas.

“Today my pet died, tomorrow it can be our children or any one of us,” she added.

No immediate comment was available from the Dubai Municipality. - asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

Venomous reptiles in UAE

Dr Reza Khan, Wildlife and Zoo Specialist and former Director of Dubai Zoo, confirmed that the snake that bit Bella was Sochurek’s Saw-Scaled Viper found mainly in Southern Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern India, southern and central Iran, Oman and the UAE in all habitats — desert, coastal belts and the mountains.

“Within few moments of birth, a baby Saw-Scaled Viper is ready to strike and its venom is sufficient to kill an adult man. Time (when the death occurs) varies usually from four to 24 hours,” he added.

After being bitten, a person should be immobilised and be kept tension free up to the time he/she is safely transported to a hospital, he said.

There are three species of commonly venomous land snakes in the UAE — Saw-Scaled Viper, Carpet Viper and Sand Viper or Horned Viper. A fourth rarely seen snake, False Horned Viper, lives only in the Hajar Mountains.

However, at least four types of scorpions that can be harmful to people are found in the country. “Usually, people do not die from scorpion venom but children could,” said Dr Reza.