Snake-bitten Fla. dog joins family in Spain

Dante the snake-bitten dog from Kissimmee joins his military family in Spain

Published On: Nov 30 2012 09:57:04 AM EST   Updated On: Nov 30 2012 02:17:50 PM EST
Dante the dog
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -

A Central Florida dog got a hero's sendoff Wednesday and will soon be reunited with his owner, who's currently stationed overseas.

Dante, a 3-year-old black Labrador, has been recovering from a venomous snakebite he received while protecting his owner's mother-in-law. 

The woman says Dante grabbed the cottonmouth snake and tossed it aside, preventing it from attacking her, but the snake returned and bit Dante.

The dog was treated at Celebration Animal Clinic and Veterinary Health Associates before receiving life-saving Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at SPCA Florida.

Dante's owner is U.S. Navy Commander Carl Eierle, who is currently stationed in Spain, with his wife.

Increased costs and flight restrictions caused Dante's flight to be Spain to be delayed, but he recently received health clearance and will soon be back with his owner.

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