Animal heroes: Courageous cat

There are few animals which will attack a snake. The armadillo will, but he has armourplated protection. The mongoose is famous for his fearless fights with snakes, but he has great speed and razor-sharp teeth.

One day, in March 1967, four-year-old Wanda Viviers was playing happily on the lawn of her home in Johannesburg, South Africa. Suddenly, something made her turn — and there, slithering towards her, was a Ringhalls snake. Wanda had heard about these deadly creatures and she was terrified as the 5-foot-long reptile approached her. Suddenly, with a wild yowl, a bundle of creamy-brown fur hurled itself at the snake’s head. Wanda’s pet Siamese cat, Wong, had come to her rescue. The young cat pounced on the snake again and again, furiously clawing at its eyes and skin. Surprised by its unexpected attacker, the snake struck back. But Wong proved too much for it and the snake lay dead.

Neighbours came running over and comforted Wanda after her terrible shock. As for Wong, the brave little Siamese cat, his story appeared in newspapers throughout the world, and the P.D.S.A. in London awarded him a silver medal for his exceptional bravery.