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# Australia
'It could have been a little nipper' - Shark snatches dog from Sydney beach
Some beaches in the Kurnell area have now been closed to swimmers.
https://www.facebook.com/7newssydney/videos/1572972432726884/
AN AUSTRALIAN COUPLE have spoken of the ‘traumatic’ moment their pet dog Molly was taken by a shark at a Sydney beach.
The pair were playing fetch with their American Staffordshire Terrier when they threw a stick into the water only for the dog to be taken by a shark when it went to retrieve it.
“We were just throwing the stick in the water. The tide was really far out and there was a bit of a drop off [where the water became deeper],” dog-owner Nigel told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“It was very quick. It just took her under the water.”
Nigel said they were unable to retrieve the dog’s body. He estimated the shark to be 3.5m long.
The local council in the south Sydney Kurnell area has been informed and lifeguards are now patrolling the beaches to ensure nobody enters the water.
Dog owners are also being warned to be cautious when out walking their pets.
“It could have been a little nipper. What’s the difference between a little nipper in a wetsuit and a small dog?,” local dog owner Ellie Warner told 7 News Sydney.
Authorities have said they believe the shark in question may have been a bull shark.
Read: Irishman up for Pride of Australia Medal after he saves friend from great white shark attack >
Read: A 400-year-old Greenland shark has been found to be the world’s oldest vertebrate >
