Salamander venom kills dog during walk in Austria

A one-year-old dog died after meeting a fire salamander during a walk in Burgenland, Austria.

The English Springer Spaniel had been sniffing through fallen leaves when it apparently came into contact with the amphibian.

Its owners said the dog began having seizures soon afterward and died about 15 minutes later.

An examination confirmed that the salamander’s toxic secretion caused the death.

Fire salamanders release the secretion from glands on their heads and backs when threatened, and can spray it up to a metre.

A veterinarian cited in the coverage said up to 30 dogs die this way in Austria each year.

Experts advise dog owners to stay alert on woodland walks and keep people, especially children, from touching the animals.