6-year old girl fights python to save kitten

[Queasy]

link

Girl fights python to save kitten

27mar03
A SIX-year-old girl became the first female to receive the RSPCA's humane award for saving her kitten from a predatory python.

Marlie Coleman did not think twice about taking on the scrub python when it wrapped its jaws around her kitten Sooty in their Cairns backyard earlier this year.

The sharp-toothed python let go of the kitten, but attached itself to Marlie's lip, hanging on until her mother heard the screams and shook it off.

Her mother, Shakira, remembers seeing Marlie standing on the barbecue with a snake attached to her face, bleeding and sobbing "Snake trying to eat Sooty".

RSPCA Queensland chief executive officer Mark Townend said Marlie's only concern on her way to hospital after the attack was for the kitten.

"The RSPCA does not want to see children place themselves in danger," Mr Townend said.

"However, this little girl, who was only five at the time, showed exceptional bravery.

"Marlie performed a selfless and courageous act on behalf of her kitten friend and she has captured the spirit of animal welfare."

Marlie still bears the scars of her ordeal, while Sooty recovered from minor injuries and the non-venomous python slipped away, never to be seen again.

Marlie was presented with the award at her school today, becoming the first female, youngest person and first Queenslander to receive it.

The RSPCA Australia Humane Award recognises people who have shown courage and risked their personal safety to rescue an animal.

Five men have won the award since 1990 for feats ranging from dragging a dog from a burning house to being hit by a car while rescuing a koala.

Scrub pythons grow to three metres in Cairns and are known to defend themselves by biting with their long, sharp teeth, said Michael O'Brien, wildlife curator at Wild World - The Tropical Zoo.

They prey upon warm-blooded animals such as chickens, small dogs and cats.

 

[iamme]

<insert killing kittens joke here>

 

[SoylentGreen]

"Snake trying to eat Sooty".
How touching.

 

[Chaotic42]

She might have saved the kitten, but the snake was deprived a meal!

 

[KDOG]

Yeah! What about the python? Hmmmmmm? It was just to trying to survive itself!!! Doesn't sound fair...

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
She might have saved the kitten, but the snake was deprived a meal!

There are a few forum members here I'm sure we could spare for it.

 

[DaveSimmons]

sheesh, I thought I was cynical, I see I have much to learn from the other respondents

Nice story Queasy, thanks for posting it.

 

[SSP]

Whoa!

 

Betcha mom was glad it was not a rattle snake.

 

[UNCjigga]

So do RossMAN and RossWIFE still want to move to Australia??

 

[notfred]

How can you win an award from the SPCA by stealing an animal's food?

Would they give you an award if you saved a starving python by feeding it a kitten?

 

[bunker]

Originally posted by: Roger
Betcha mom was glad it was not a rattle snake.

Do they even have rattlesnakes in Australia?? I know they have every other form of venomous snake, but for some reason I don't think they have their own rattlers.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: notfred
How can you win an award from the SPCA by stealing an animal's food?

Would they give you an award if you saved a starving python by feeding it a kitten?

the spca isn't concerned with ugly animals, duh!

 

[calpha]

Originally posted by: bunker

Originally posted by: Roger
Betcha mom was glad it was not a rattle snake.

Do they even have rattlesnakes in Australia?? I know they have every other form of venomous snake, but for some reason I don't think they have their own rattlers.

Good Call. It appears they don't. I guess the Mamba's ate them all.

 

[OulOat]

Originally posted by: notfred
How can you win an award from the SPCA by stealing an animal's food?

Would they give you an award if you saved a starving python by feeding it a kitten?

Lol.

 

[LordRaiden]

Yeah, you just save the kitten from the Phython, then feed the Phython a steak dinner.

 

[Spac3d]

She saved a kitten eh? Well I will make sure I will kill an extra one tonight.

 

[yoda291]

ok, lemme get this straight...

kid does something incredibly stupid...battles snake who, had she been out of earshot, could have killed/seriously injured her and this is rewarded? She "captured the spirit of animal welfare"? Bull. The only reason she's being rewarded is because the damn kitten is so soft and furry. dollars to pesos says she wouldn't have gotten anything had she saved a pet python from a ravenous kitten.

This planet is nuts.

 

[imported_Tomato]

>^.^<

 

[SSP]

Originally posted by: Dezign
>^.^<

I dont get it. Are you being impaled by sharp objects?

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: KDOG
Yeah! What about the python? Hmmmmmm? It was just to trying to survive itself!!! Doesn't sound fair...

This is what I was thinking in that "mouse trap" thread... people recommending ways to kill rats... it's not fair... maybe deserved, but not fair.

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: SSP

Originally posted by: Dezign
>^.^<

I dont get it. Are you being impaled by sharp objects?

ROTFLOL

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
She might have saved the kitten, but the snake was deprived a meal!

There are a few forum members here I'm sure we could spare for it.

Hey, uhhhhh, Nate.........

 

[Geekbabe]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
She might have saved the kitten, but the snake was deprived a meal!

There are a few forum members here I'm sure we could spare for it.

I'll send some paypal to help with the shipping costs!

 

[rpc64]

Originally posted by: notfred
How can you win an award from the SPCA by stealing an animal's food?

Would they give you an award if you saved a starving python by feeding it a kitten?

LoL I love that! I also love that the mom's name is Shakira