Dog famous for barking at crocodiles eaten by beast
WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. A little dog who gained internet fame for barking and chasing crocodiles has been eaten by one of the beasts.
Pippa the 10-year-old terrier was known to make a game of chasing the two crocodiles inhabiting the Adelaide River, which runs along the Goat Island Lodge, south of Darwin, since she was a pup.
An earlier video of the dog terrorising a three-metre crocodile went viral last year.
Sadly last Friday the little terrier, affectionately known as Dumb Blonde, wasn’t so lucky.
Kai Hansen, who runs the lodge, said he couldn’t bring himself to watch the 10-second video of his pup being taken by the saltwater crocodile, which has gone viral since it was shared by a guest.
“I find it sad to talk about. I loved that dog,” the heartbroken man told Yahoo7 on Thursday.
In the clip, Mr Hansen and guests gathered around to watch Pippa performing her favourite trick of running at Casey the crocodile to chase her back into the river. But this time, the small dog made the fatal error of launching at the croc’s head and Casey’s reaction was immediate.
“No! No! No!” onlookers gasped in horror, as they watched the saltie do what was in his nature – snatch the pupper and drag her into the water.
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Mr Hansen told Yahoo7 the feisty dog had been chasing the crocs about twice a week, for the past decade, and “It was the highlight of her day”.
While the predator had charged back several times over the years, Pippa’s owner said it wasn’t surprising last Friday was the final straw.
He knew the crocs preyed on small animals, and had seen the pair many times feasting on birds, wallabies, and even cattle, along the river banks near his property.
“There was no way I could have stopped [Pippa from chasing] unless I kept her tied up.
“She had a terrier instinct in her. She managed to get away with it for so long.”
Despite being distraught about losing his best mate, Mr Hansen said he didn’t blame Casey, believed to be in her mid-30s, for the predatory instinct.
“I have no hate in any way, shape or form, for the crocodile. I still love her and will continue to feed her, as much as anything. You have to love and respect crocs – they know how to survive.
“It’s what’s in their nature.”
