Snake catcher's grim warning after toddler attacked in backyard
After being bitten by a tiger snake in the northwest of Melbourne, a young boy has been commended for his bravery throughout the ordeal.
Huxon Healey has been discharged from hospital after a venomous snake attacked him on the leg in his backyard in Sunbury.
The two-year-old was praised for his calm demeanour after an incident that would make most grown adults panic.
After the bite occurred, Huxon suffered from high blood pressure and a temperature, immediately forcing his parents to rush him to hospital.
“He was being a bit hysterical and crying which is unusual for him, he’s usually pretty tough,” said his stepdad Corey Thomas to 7News.
He was provided with antivenom and had to sit through multiple blood tests.
After the stressful moment came to an end, Huxon’s family were welled with pride at how well the young boy responded to the terrifying moment.
“He took it like a champ and we’re pretty proud of him.”
After a sudden rise in snake attacks, Stewart Gatt, a snake catcher from Victoria, has issued a warning to residents to remain aware of their surroundings.
Speaking to 7News, he said: “We’ve got the second most venomous land snake in the world and the fourth being the brown snake and tiger snake.”
As Australia heads towards the warmer months, snakes head towards metro areas to hunt for food after a long hibernation period.
“The snakes come to drink and eat, they feast on frog and mice,” he said.
Once Huxon was safe and sound, his family asked a snake catcher to assess the backyard to guarantee it is snake free and safe, but Mr Thomas thinks it won’t be too long before little Huxon tries to get revenge.
“I said, ‘Where are you going?’ and he said, ‘I’m going outside to catch the snake’,” Mr Thomas said.
Huxon is now under the supervision of his family and expected to make a full recovery.
Click here to find out how you can avoid snakes and what to do if you come across one.