This has been the most popular story at CTV.ca pretty much all day: Five-metre python eats family dog in front of kids

This is the part that really had me wondering:

Stuart Douglas, owner of the Australian Venom Zoo in Kuranda, said  ... the snake had actively stalked the dog for a number of days, and the family that owned the dog had actually seen it in the dog's bed, which was a sign it was out to get it.

The family called Douglas after the dog had been killed and by the time he arrived there, he said, all that could be seen of the dog was its hind legs and tail.

The snake had stalked the dog for days?!?! The family sees the snake in the dog's bed?!?!?! They have young kids and a giant snake in their back yard, but they don't call anyone until after it kills and starts swallowing their dog?!?!?!?!

WTFF?!?!?!?!?!