“Carpet python eats pet cat”—it’s the kind of headline that makes you stop and stare. For one Queensland pet owner, it wasn’t just a news story—it was a heartbreaking reality.
Imagine stepping outside on a quiet morning and finding a massive snake wrapped around your cat. That’s exactly what happened in a quiet home in Griffin, Moreton Bay.
When snake catchers arrived, they found a scene that was both brutal and eerily natural. The python already killed the cat and had begun swallowing it whole. The owner had to make a tough decision—step in or let nature take its course.
A Difficult Choice
Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 responded to the call on 6 February. Their team offered to remove the cat’s body, giving the owner the chance to bury their pet. But after a moment of painful reflection, the owner declined.
Snake catcher Stuart McKenzie later shared that the owner, though devastated, made a calm and difficult choice. She knew nothing could bring her pet back, so she let the snake finish its meal rather than disrupt the natural process.
Photo Credit: Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7/Facebook
McKenzie has dealt with countless human-wildlife conflicts. He described the moment as “brutal” but also a stark reminder of nature’s reality.
The Debate: Nature or Negligence?
When the snake catcher team posted a photo of the python mid-meal on Facebook, the internet erupted with mixed reactions. Some saw it as a natural, if unfortunate, event. Others were outraged.
“This is why my cat is inside 24/7,” Janine Beveridge commented. “Too many dangers outside.”
Madeleine Carter wasn’t happy about the incident. “That snake would be a D E A D snake if it ate my pet,” she said.
Others defended the snake, arguing that humans need to take responsibility for their pets. “At least the snake got food. Glad the owners understood and didn’t blame the snake,” Sofie Kent-Lamkin wrote.
Should Cats Stay Indoors?
McKenzie explained that while these incidents are rare, they do happen. In most cat-versus-snake encounters, the snake doesn’t survive. Cats, being natural hunters, often kill snakes and even drag them inside homes, prompting urgent removal calls.
But this case was different. The cat wasn’t roaming—it was in its own backyard. It was simply unlucky.
The incident has reignited the debate on responsible pet ownership. Studies show that cats kill hundreds of millions of native animals every year, making them one of Australia’s biggest threats to wildlife. That’s why many councils now require owners to keep their cats indoors or in secure outdoor enclosures.
A Wake-Up Call for Pet Owners
McKenzie believes this isn’t just another viral story—it’s an important lesson for all pet owners.
As urban areas expand into wildlife habitats, these encounters will likely increase. The takeaway is simple: keep your pets safe, or risk nature deciding for you.
Published 10-Feb-2025