Large saltwater crocodile snatches a pet dog off a Cape York beach in northern Queensland

Australia
By William

Horrifying moment when a large saltwater crocodile grabs a dog off the beach as the owner issues an urgent warning

  • Crocodile drags dog off beach
  • The beast crept up while the pup rested
  • The dog’s QLD owner warns others

By Jade Hobman for Daily Mail Australia

published: | Updated:

A huge crocodile has snatched a dog off a beach and dragged it underwater as the dog’s distraught owner is urging people to stay safe following the loss of her pet.

A shocking vision of the attack showed the estimated five-metre-long beast firing at two dogs chilling on a beach in northern Queensland’s Cape York on Friday.

The dog’s owner, Johnnina Savo, warned nearby beachgoers to be wary around the water.

“The pup the crocodile took was ours…stay safe at the water’s edge,” she wrote, News Corp reported.

The footage showed two dogs resting at the edge of the calm waters of the Embley River at Napranum Beach.

The large saltwater crocodile was seen stalking the pair while they were unaware of its presence.

Shocking image of the attack showed the estimated five-metre-long crocodile launched at two dogs (pictured) on a Cape York beach in northern Queensland on Friday

The predator tossed the dog into the air before returning to the water as the larger dog ran for its life (pictured) - narrowly avoiding the crocodile's jaws

The predator tossed the dog into the air before returning to the water as the larger dog ran for its life (pictured) – narrowly avoiding the crocodile’s jaws

Parents are urged to keep children away from the water in the area (pictured, Napranum Beach)

Parents are urged to keep children away from the water in the area (pictured, Napranum Beach)

As the crocodile approached, the larger of the two dogs saw his approach and rose to his feet, but before the smaller dog could do anything, the man-eater pounced on it.

The predator tossed the dog into the air before returning to the water as the larger dog ran for its life – narrowly avoiding the crocodile’s jaws.

Both animals disappeared from view after the crocodile was seen shaking its head to better grab the dog.

Three other large canines were spotted running into the water and facing the crocodile after the nasty attack.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment and Science said the incident at the popular beach is under investigation.

Parents are urged to keep children away from water.

WHAT IS A SALTWATER CROCODILE?

  • It is the largest of all living reptiles, reaching up to 6 meters in length and weighing up to a ton
  • Typically remains motionless and camouflaged for very long periods, often mistaken for a partially submerged tree trunk
  • Can move through the water with surprising speed up to speeds of about 18 km/h
  • With eyes and nostrils on top of its head, it can remain largely hidden below the surface of the water
  • Distinguished by its large size, girth and broad rounded muzzle
  • The mouth contains 40-60 large teeth designed to tear the flesh of prey when food is swallowed whole
  • Strictly carnivorous, it eats fish, birds and even wallabies, water buffaloes, cattle, flying foxes, crabs and turtles that venture to the water’s edge
  • Most prey is ambushed and then drowned or swallowed whole
  • When hunting prey, they lie in wait, partially submerged or completely submerged
  • Inhabit the mangrove swamps, coastal swamps and estuaries, around the top of Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland
  • The saltwater crocodile can live up to 70 years

Source: Australian Reptile Park

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