On a quiet evening in Lennox Head, Australia, an 80-year-old woman showed remarkable bravery that quickly earned her the title of a “deadset legend.” Her courageous act of rescuing her small puppy from the coils of a carpet python captured hearts across the country and sparked admiration online. Though she walked away with three snake bites on her arm, her quick thinking and determination saved her beloved pet from what could have been a tragic encounter.

It all began on a calm Tuesday night when the elderly woman heard her dog suddenly let out what she described as “screaming” noises from her backyard. Alarmed, she rushed outside to find the shocking cause: a large carpet python had wrapped itself tightly around her puppy. The snake’s muscular body had coiled around the small animal’s torso, and the terrified pup already showed several bite marks on its chin.

Without a second thought, the woman sprang into action. Acting on pure instinct and love for her pet, she reached down and tried to pull the snake away. The python resisted, tightening its grip even more as she worked to free the dog. During the intense struggle, the reptile bit her three separate times. Despite the pain and danger, the woman refused to back down. Moments later, through sheer persistence and strength, she managed to pry the snake off and release her trembling puppy.

After the struggle, the snake slithered off her property, disappearing into the neighbor’s yard. Most people would have stopped there, but this determined woman didn’t. Worried that the snake might return and threaten her dogs again, she followed it next door. With calm but firm resolve, she grabbed the snake by its tail and carefully relocated it to a nearby shrub away from the homes. Her daughter later snapped a photo of her mother standing in the driveway, still holding the python’s tail while inspecting one of the bite marks on her arm.

The daughter proudly shared the story online with the caption: “My mum is bloody amazing. She got bitten three times getting the snake off her pup.” The post quickly went viral, gathering thousands of reactions and comments from people across Australia. Many were in awe of her courage, calling her “a legend,” “a trooper,” and “a gutsy old bird with a big heart.” Others expressed relief that both the woman and her dog were relatively unharmed, though they reminded her to seek medical care to avoid infection.

“People like her don’t exist anymore,” one commenter wrote. “She’s tough as nails and has a heart of gold.” Another added, “I hope the puppy isn’t too traumatized. What an incredible woman.”

Her daughter later confirmed that both her mother and the puppy had been checked — the dog was examined by a veterinarian, and her mother had cleaned and dressed her wounds. Although the bites were painful, they were not venomous, since carpet pythons are non-venomous snakes. Still, the experience was a harsh reminder of how quickly wildlife encounters can escalate.

Local media outlets reached out to the family, but the humble woman politely declined interviews. Her daughter told Yahoo News that her mother “did what she had to do” and didn’t see herself as a hero. “She’s just a tough country woman,” her daughter added. “She loves her animals and would do anything for them.”

Wildlife experts later weighed in on the incident. Mathew Hampton, a licensed snake catcher, explained that carpet python bites can be “nasty” due to the bacteria in their mouths, even though they aren’t venomous. He also pointed out that handling wild snakes without a permit technically violates wildlife protection laws in Australia. “Technically, she’d be in breach,” Hampton said, “but I can’t blame her for acting out of love and instinct.”

He also praised the woman’s bravery, saying, “I don’t recommend anyone try to handle a snake in these situations, but I completely understand why she did. When you see your pet in danger, you react. It’s one of those moments where instinct takes over. She did a great job, and she’s clearly a tough lady.”

Carpet pythons are common throughout eastern Australia, often found in trees, roofs, and gardens where they hunt small mammals and birds. While they rarely pose a threat to humans, their powerful coils can easily overpower small pets. Wildlife authorities recommend contacting professional snake catchers to safely remove them, but they also acknowledge that, in a moment of panic, many pet owners react without thinking twice.

Fortunately, this story ended well. The woman’s puppy has been recovering comfortably after its ordeal, showing only minor wounds and a few lingering signs of fright. The python, meanwhile, was safely relocated and released away from the residential area.

Neighbors have since been checking in on the brave woman, bringing flowers and calling her “our local hero.” For many, her story became a heartwarming example of courage, compassion, and the deep bond between people and their pets.

Though experts remind the public to avoid direct confrontation with wildlife, the community’s admiration for the 80-year-old woman remains strong. Her story serves as a reminder that heroism can come from the most unexpected places — sometimes from a quiet backyard, under the glow of a porch light, where a determined grandmother refuses to let danger take away what she loves most.

In a world where social media is often filled with negative headlines, this tale of courage and devotion stood out as something beautifully human. It was a simple act — one person, one dog, and one dangerous snake — yet it captured what resilience and love truly look like.

As one commenter perfectly summed it up: “She didn’t think twice. That’s what love looks like.”