Children saved by Zena the snake killer

MELBOURNE - Zena the staffordshire terrier is the toast of the Schultz family after the 10-year-old pooch jumped on a deadly tiger snake as it was about to enter the house where three young children were playing.

The snake crawled across the concrete patio of the house in Bannockburn and was about to enter the rumpus room where the Schultz children - Brendan, 7, Jared, 6, and Sarah, 3 - were watching television.

Their mother Patricia told AAP she saw the reptile first and started screaming which prompted the children to follow suit.

Then Zena took matters into her own paws, jumping on to the 1m-long snake and breaking its spine with a snap of her jaws.

"We've been here 10 years and have never seen a snake before," Schultz said. "It's made us aware that we have to close all the doors now."

Since the incident happened on Tuesday Zena has been spoiled and has even been treated to a cake.

- AAP