Woman Says Dog Is Responsible For Saving Her Life

A Shreveport woman is crediting a dog with saving her life. Charlotte Ballard says she was out in her yard with two dogs she was fostering for a local rescue organization. She was sitting in her swing when she saw what she thought was twig moving near her feet. It turns out the twig was a copperhead snake and it was headed straight for her. That`s when "Duchess" lept into action. "I was just about to put my foot on it`s head. And just within that instant... Here comes Duchess and grabbed it. And in my mind I went Oh my God it was a snake!" said Ballard. Charlotte says Duchess took off running with the snake still in her mouth. "I was so scared it was going to kill her I was just screaming Lord Jesus don`t let her die." said Ballard. Duchess killed the snake. She`s doing fine, even after being exposed to the venom. Charlotte says she rescued Duchess from life in a shelter. And she thinks it was just her way of re-paying the favor. She plans to keep Duchess around permanently. "Nobody`s getting this dog... She absolutely saved my life."