Kelpie Milli Survives Crocodile Attack at Lake Argyle

When Hamish McAlpine saw his friend's dog dragged underwater at Lake Argyle, he didn't hesitate. He plunged into the water and felt the crocodile against his leg as both he and the reptile struggled for the six-year-old kelpie named Milli.

The attack happened in seconds near the boat ramp at Lake Argyle, about 70 kilometers south of Kununurra in Western Australia's remote Kimberley region. Milli had been enjoying an Easter long weekend with her owner Andrew Morton and friends when a freshwater crocodile latched onto her leg at the water's edge.

McAlpine described the moment as like "AFL players wrestling over a ball" as he grabbed Milli while the crocodile pulled from below. Morton rushed to help, and together they freed the terrified dog before the crocodile disappeared.

The lake is home to around 35,000 freshwater crocodiles, which are generally smaller and less aggressive than their saltwater relatives. Still, they can attack when provoked, and this one left Milli with puncture wounds that needed immediate attention.

Morton contacted a local vet who guided him through cleaning the wounds to prevent infection. The couple then drove back to Broome where Milli received antibiotics and proper veterinary care.

Sunny's Take

What could have been a tragedy turned into a story of courage and quick action. Morton and McAlpine were just 4 meters away when Milli whimpered, and they reached her within 10 seconds.

"Pretty lucky, really could've gone differently if she was in deeper water or we were further away," Morton said. He knows that if it had been a saltwater crocodile instead, they wouldn't be celebrating Milli's recovery today.

The hardest part now? Keeping the energetic kelpie calm while her leg heals. Morton says Milli is already eager to run around again, a sure sign she's bouncing back from her close call.

The incident happened within Kununurra's Crocodile Risk Mitigation Area, where authorities monitor and sometimes remove problem crocodiles that actively threaten humans. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions says they're aware of the interaction but haven't yet received a formal report.

Sometimes the best stories aren't about avoiding danger, but about the split-second decisions that save the ones we love.