Dogs save man from python
2006-04-17 18:31
Riot Hlatshwayo
Malelane - A Mpumalanga man doesn't have one best friend, but two. His dogs, Tupac and Spotty, saved him from a three-metre-long python.
"It was as if they could understand siSwati when I called for help.
"They barked loudly and then started biting the snake around its neck," says James Msimango, 30, who lives in Mdladla village near the Swaziland border in Mpumalanga.
He had gone fishing along the Lomati River on March 17 when he decided to find a better spot.
He had a slasher to clear his way, but it was of no use when the python struck.
The enormous snake coiled itself around his arms and legs so quickly, that he couldn't defend himself.
But Tupac and Spotty responded to his cries for help.
Each time he breathed out, the snake would crush him harder, so it grew more and more difficult for him to breathe.
Other fishermen ran away
Two other fishermen also heard his cries and rushed to the scene, but ran away when they saw the terrible sight.
Luckily, Tupac and Spotty didn't give up.
"Tupac was so brave because he kept biting the python around the head until it let go of me," he said.
He said he was released so suddenly that he just sat there in shock.
"I sat there in shock and just looked at the scene where the fight had taken place. I wanted to run away, but was scared of running into the snake."
He heard his dogs barking ferociously in the bush and called them back.
When they ignored him, he searched for his slasher and thought of going home without them, but then changed his mind.
"I thought that maybe it was my turn to save the dogs," he said.
But before he could go after them, they returned, dragging along the now dead python.
Sangoma "They were wagging their tails, showing just how happy they were," said Msimango.
Some other people then arrived after the two men who had run away earlier, raised the alarm.
Among them was a sangoma who decided to take the snake for muti.
Msimango had a few bruises on his arms and legs, but was otherwise unhurt.
It took another two weeks before he found the courage to go fishing again, however.
"I had no choice because I sell the fish for a living and I wanted to save money to throw a party for my dogs," he said.
He has already given them special biscuits.
- African Eye