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

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.

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.