Australians warned to keep their pets safe as snake activity increases

People are being warned to keep their pets — and themselves — safe with an increase in snake sightings “smack bang in the middle of breeding season”.

Several dogs have died from snake “altercations” while one woman was lucky to survive an accidental bath with a snake without being bitten, Narellan Snake Catcher Daniel May said.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Red-bellied black snake wrangled after taking a bath with woman.

May said he had received an increasing number of calls in recent weeks to remove deadly red-bellied black snakes and eastern brown snakes from homes around Sydney’s southwest .

The increased snake activity came “smack bang in the middle of breeding season” when the serpents are slithering around seeking mates, May told 7NEWS.com.au while travelling to deal with two easter