A heroic pet dog died trying to stop a cobra coming into her family’s home.
Pregnant Nong Horm was found dead alongside the 4ft long snake in the front yard in Pathum Thani, central Thailand, on Tuesday night.
The dog, two, was in the final stages of pregnancy and carrying around 10 puppies in her stomach.
Heartbreaking footage shows owner Buncherd Praprom, 35, lying next to the dying pit bull, which had suffered several bites around her mouth.
The monocled cobra, one of the deadliest snakes in the world, was in the last stages of life having been wounded by the protective dog. Its powerful venom would have killed the dog within a few minutes.
Suriyon Chanthakhet, 51, added that the family pet lived with them all in the property.
He explained: ‘Our beautiful dog was killed while protecting us from the cobra.
‘My heart is breaking. Thinking about the pain she must have experienced makes me cry.’
Suriyon said he heard Nong Horm fighting with something near the front yard but when he finally went outside it was too late to save the dog from the cobra.
Suriyon, who is heard mournfully talking to Nong Horm in the video, said: ‘What has just happened to you, my dear?
‘Why did this tragic accident happen to you? I am so sorry that you died while you were pregnant.’
Suriyon said he blamed himself because he could not save Nong Horm and her puppies.
The cobra also died shortly after. The family then took the snake outside while Nong Horm was buried in the back garden.
Suriyon added: ‘Nong Horm was the best pet dog our family have even taken care of. She was so loyal, even giving her life for us.’
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The owner recounted the unforgettable moment: “While I was watching TV in the house, I heard a dog barking loudly outside. I didn’t go out right away because I thought it was just playing around like every day. When I came out, I saw the baby struggling with a king cobra, so I rushed to help it defeat the snake. But before I could celebrate the victory, it died a few minutes later from poisoning. I am very grateful to it for saving my life and the whole family. If I had run out when I first heard it, it would have been saved. My whole family was shocked by its passing, it died along with its litter. We will miss it for the rest of our lives.”
Moved by the dog’s courage and devotion, his family held a small funeral to express their gratitude and respect for their “benefactor” before laying it to rest.
