Family dog bitten while protecting boy and mum from 'lunging' snake
A family dog has been bitten by a lunging snake after she stood her ground to protect her owners while the trio were out walking.
The boxer named Nala was bitten on the nose by a rattlesnake after she jumped in front of 10-year-old Cole Lewis and his mother to defend them on Sunday in Lancaster, California.
"She waited until we were safe," Cole told KABC-TV.
"She stood her ground. She didn't like whimper or anything when she got bit."
The ten-year-old's stepfather rushed the beloved pet to the veterinary hospital following the frightening incident.
"When my son had told me it was light green, I knew that it was a Mojave green (snake) and they're extremely poisonous, way more so than a diamondback," Anthony Borquez told the media outlet.
Nala is recovering from the bite and Cole will not be taking her company for granted.
"She saved my life, and I just want to hang out with her now because she's my hero," Cole said.
Mr Borquez said they bought a boxer due to their protective personalities.
"That's why we got the breed. We got her from a rescue. We rescued her and she rescued us," Mr Borquez said.
Following the scare, Cole left his bike in the area and realised it had been stolen when they returned.
The family said they won't go back to the area where the attack occurred for future walks or bike riding.
They are now reaching out to help pay for the cost of her medical bills by starting a gofundme page.
