Dog survives after being bitten by a snake in Southampton park

But four-year-old German Shepherd Simba miraculously recovered from the attack.

He was on Freemantle Common with owner Klaudia Cynarska when the adder struck.

"Simba suddenly started to cry and he dropped the stick he was holding, so I thought he had hurt himself with it," Klaudia said.

She added: “We were next to the playground in the park, far away from any bushes.”

Klaudia Cynarska and Simba at Freemantle Common (Image: Newsquest)

The 27-year-old rushed to his side and walked him home, where she discovered a large amount of blood on his belly.

It was then she decided to call the emergency vets.

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Klaudia said: “Simba has always been healthy and never had any issues whatsoever.

“We were walking home, and he was dragging his foot behind him which is when I thought something is really not ok.

“His belly started to go black, but there was no wound or scratch.

“I had to take him to Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists in Ringwood.

“They scanned him and found nothing inside him, which is when they told me it could have been an adder bite.

“He was barely walking, and he was barely alive.”

Simba at the vets (Image: Klaudia Cynarska)

Simba underwent two blood transfusions and a plasma exchange during his stay at the vets.

Klaudia was told that he would not survive – but after a week he recovered.

The aftermath of the adder bite (Image: Klaudia Cynarska)

She said: “The vets there are amazing.

“Simba was about to die but they saved his life.

“It means the world to me that he's alive, he saved my life during Covid.

“I really depend on him. I had the most terrible two weeks when he was unwell.

“I was always expecting a call, but if it came, I knew it wouldn’t be good.”

She added: “It’s been three weeks and he’s still struggling.

“I can only take him out for 10 minute walks a day. He still has a massive lump from the bite, but I’m happy to have him home.”

Adder bites tend to be quite rare as snakes generally bite in self-defence.

Dogs and puppies can unintentionally provoke adders into biting.

When this happens, dog owners are advised not to panic and carry their pets to the vets.