This is the terrifying moment a woman was shocked by a big cobra in her kitchen.

The homeowner discovered the snake in her outdoor cooking area, prompting her doting brown dog to confront the reptile in Vientiane, Laos, on October 23.

Footage shows the cobra rearing up as the canine barks at it.

The filmer said: 'I was so scared because the snake could attack us. I am grateful for my dog because he bit the cobra to death.'

Dogs are naturally protective of their pack or owners. They tend to be alert to new people, animals, or unfamiliar surroundings while remaining calm and in control. They will only become protective if they feel threatened or sense their owner's fear.

Cobra venom contains neurotoxins that target the nervous system by blocking nerve signal transmission to muscles. This blockage can lead to respiratory failure, suffocation, or cardiac arrest as the diaphragm and other muscles needed for breathing become paralysed.

Depending on the species, cobra venom can kill within 30 minutes to a few hours.