Gone in a snap! Moment three-year-old boy releases butterfly after raising it from a caterpillar – only for his dog to EAT it

  • Ronnie Seddon, three, released a butterfly in his garden that he had hatched 
  • Spent several days nurturing the butterfly from a caterpillar and named it Ralph 
  • Unfortunately the family dog spotted the insect and swallowed it up in one bite
  • His father Danny, 25, shared comical but heartbreaking moment on social media

A three-year-old boy was left heartbroken after his dog ate his butterfly he had raised from a caterpillar. 

Seconds after the youngster from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, had released the butterfly in his garden the family's Cavalier King Charles chased after it and ate it. 

Ronnie Seddon, three, grew the caterpillar in a plastic box for several days before it became white butterfly and his father Danny, 25, decided to film the sweet moment. 

Ronnie Seddon, three, was left heartbroken when his family's dog named Marvel ate his butterfly he had just released in the garden in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, after spending several days hatching it

Ronnie Seddon, three, was left heartbroken when his family's dog named Marvel ate his butterfly he had just released in the garden in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, after spending several days hatching it 

In the clip, Ronnie opens the lid of the container the butterfly has hatched in and it can be see flying around inside. 

He turns it upside down and begins shaking it to release the insect, which he named Ralph, into the wild. 

It lands on the ground in the garden and soon realises it is free and flutters off into grassy garden. 

But the family dog, named Marvel, soon spots the butterfly and instinctively attempts to catch it. 

Danny, 25, was filming his son releasing the butterfly in the garden - tipping the plastic container upside down and shaking it - before it fluttered off

Danny, 25, was filming his son releasing the butterfly in the garden - tipping the plastic container upside down and shaking it - before it fluttered off

But in a comical turn of events Marvel, a Cavalier King Charles, decided to swoop in and eat the butterfly seconds after it was released

But in a comical turn of events Marvel, a Cavalier King Charles, decided to swoop in and eat the butterfly seconds after it was released

He spots it and with one bite catches it in his mouth, swallowing it whole - much to the upset of Ronnie.

Danny decided to share the comical moment, which he captured on Tuesday, on social media and the video has since proved extremely popular.  

Danny said: 'Unfortunately I stopped recording as Ronnie got upset. He’s three years old and for a full day now has not stopped talking about his butterfly Ralph. 

'We grew him from a caterpillar and decided it was time to set him free when our dog decided differently.

Danny said his son Ronnie has refused to talk to or acknowledge their dog Marvel since the heartbreaking incident

Danny said his son Ronnie has refused to talk to or acknowledge their dog Marvel since the heartbreaking incident

'I shared the video on my Facebook and people can’t stop laughing at it.

'Ronnie has been very angry at our dog Marvel and refuses to talk to him.'

He explained that their dog is 'very cheeky' and is often causing trouble around their house.

Boy, 3, releases butterfly after raising it from a caterpillar - only for his dog to EAT it

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.