Hero cat dies after tackling deadly snake to save owners’ young kids’ lives

A brave cat sacrificed himself for his family's safety after fighting off Australia's most deadly snake.

Arthur leapt to the defence of two young children playing in their back garden when a killer eastern brown snake slithered in front of them.

Tabby cat Arthur killed the intruder in his owner's Queensland garden but was bitten in its heroic fight.

National Geographic ranks the eastern brown as Australia's deadliest snake due to brown snakes causing more deaths in the country than any other group of the legless reptile.

It is described as being highly aggressive, fast and has the second most toxic land snake venom in the world.

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Despite collapsing immediately after dealing with the threat, Arthur quickly got back on his feet, Daily Mail reports.

Sadly the following morning, Arthur's family found him collapsed once again and unable to move as the snake's venom took its toll on the feline.

By the time they took him to Tanawha Hospital on the Sunshine Coast for treatment, the damage was irreversible.

Animal Emergency Service Queensland said his owners had been devastated.

They wrote on Facebook: "It was with the heaviest of hearts his owners had to leave Arthur after he gained his angel wings.

"His family… remember him fondly and are forever grateful he saved the children’s lives. Arthur was always getting into mischief; he had previously visited us before having been in accidents and was very much loved by our team."

They added that in the case of Arthur, 'collapse events' are a common symptom of snake bites even if they are not well-known.

Tributes poured in for the cat over social media on Monday.

One woman said: "Oh Arthur… what a brave little man! My heart breaks for you and your family."

"RIP beautiful boy. You truly are a hero," wrote another.

A third commented: "Rest easy old mate, you earned it."

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