TWO dog owners have told how their dogs died after being bitten by snakes.

Raya Elaina was walking her collie Billy along Fox Way in Portslade when she believes he was bitten by a snake.

The lovable pooch fell ill and died, leaving his owner devastated.

She said: “I can’t put into words how heartbroken I am.

“Despite being so strong and brave he died after being bitten by a snake.

“I posted a warning to other dog owners to be careful when walking their dogs there or even people with young children.”

She said Billy was a part of their family and a wonderful companion and will be missed.

Miss Elaina’s news came just days after a similar incident in Seaford led to the death of Nikki Blight’s dog, Roxy, when they were walking near Seaford Head.

She believed the 13-year-old terrier cross was bitten by an adder, and despite the vet’s best efforts, she had to be put down.

Mrs Blight’s other dog Alfie was also bitten on the walk, and she paid £1,500 in vet bills to keep him alive.

Now Miss Elaina is calling for something to be done to make sure nobody else goes through the same heartache as her.

She said: “I really don’t want this to happen to anyone else.

“Something needs to be done about the danger of these snakes as two dogs have already died.”

Adders are the only venomous snake native to Britain and are common in Sussex.

They have the most highly developed venom injecting mechanism of all snakes, but they are not aggressive animals and will only use their venom as a last means of defence, usually if caught or trodden on.

Adders are relatively common in areas of rough, open countryside and are associated with woodland edges habitats.

Most adders are distinctively marked with a dark zigzag running down the length of the spine and an inverted V shape on the neck. Males are generally white or pale grey with a black zigzag whilst females are a pale brown colour, with a dark brown zigzag.

Some adders are entirely black and can be mistaken for other species.