This is the dramatic moment a brave passer-by used a rusty scooter to rescue a cat being strangled by a python.

The 12ft snake pounced on the white moggy named Pedro in undergrowth outside a factory in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 16.

Shocked worker Nam, 50, was on her lunch break when she heard the feline yelp while it was being crushed by the reptile, the attack method used before a python swallows its victim.

The woman sprung into action and grabbed the children's toy to poke the python, which slowly loosened its deadly coil around the kitt.

Footage shows how little Pedro, who appeared to be playing dead during the attack, seized the opportunity to escape and quickly wriggled free.

He then bounded away into the bushes to get as far away as he could from the attacker, albeit with one of his nine lives having had a close call with a gruesome end.

Nam said: 'I was with another person from the factory and we heard strange sounds. It sounded horrible, like somebody was in real pain.

'I followed the noise and felt sick when I saw the cat being attacked. However, I wanted to help so I picked up the nearest object and just hit the snake to make it let go of the cat.

'Pedro the cat is like a pet at the factory and we feed him every day, so he's like one of the team and we are all familiar with him. Everyone has watched the video and is glad he's safe.'

The python slithered away into the undergrowth in search of its next meal.

The reticulated python is found throughout Southeast Asia. They are common in Thailand where they live in forests, swamps, canals and even in cities, where they come into conflict with humans.

They can kills humans and regularly eat cats, dogs, birds, rats and other snakes.