A WOMAN’S husband was mauled to death by their pet just weeks after she shared a Facebook post advocating blaming owners for badly behaved dogs.
Karen ‘Maree’ Anderson, 64, and husband Noel Backhouse, 66 were attacked by their pet Rottweiler, Ruben at their home in Allens Rivulet, Australia, on Sunday night.
FacebookNoel Backhouse and his wife Karen ‘Maree’ Anderson were attacked by their pet[/caption]
FacebookNoel died from injuries to his hands and arms[/caption]
Just weeks earlier Karen shared this postFacebook
The horrifying attack left Noel with fatal bite wounds in his hands and arms while his wife was hospitalised for injuries to her lower legs.
Speaking to media on Monday, Tasmanian Police Inspector Colin Riley said the attack appeared to be random.
“This is a family that have had a loved pet,” Mr Riley said.
“Unfortunately, that animal has turned on them and it’s had tragic outcomes.”
This comes as last summer Karen – who is a teacher- shared a post which seemed to support the idea that an aggressive dog was the fault of the owner.
The post read: “In the 70s they blamed the Dobermans. In the 80s they blamed the German Shepherds.
“In the 90s they blamed Rottweilers. Now they blame the Pitbull. When will they blame the humans?”
Ruben has now been euthanized and the couples two other pets – a French Bull dog and a German Shepard – have been seized by the council while an investigation is carried out.
Noel has been a victim of a savage attack before, as just a year and a half ago he was attacked by a pit bull while out walking his three dogs.
Karen shared a picture of his injuries in the aftermath and captioned it: “In an attempt to keep Ruben safe, Noel was badly bitten.
“The owner arrived on his bike and took off when the police were called.
“I’m just so angry that an idiot like this thinks it’s OK to allow his dog to roam freely while he follows on his bike… with no control over the animal.”
Ruben was considered an example of the breed and was awarded two trophies and two ribbons after winning Best State Bred Dog and Best Opposite State Bred at a Show last November.
According to Daily Mail Australia a neighbour has since launched a community initiative to help take care of the couple’s other dogs while Karen recovers.
This comes amid plans to ban XL bullies in the UK after a spate of savage attacks.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak has said the breed will be outlawed under the dangerous Dangerous Dogs Act.
Vowing to bring in new laws by the end of the year, he promised to work “fast” to protect the public.
The PM said in a video posted on X/Twitter: “These dogs are dangerous and I want to reassure the public we will take all the necessary steps to keep them safe.”
In September a man died in Staffordshire, after being set upon outside a primary school.
Brave passers-by tried to rip the dogs off the man after they attacked him just yards away from terrified kids leaving the school.
And earlier this month chilling screams were heard as an “XL Bully” mauled a toddler in Catherine Grove, Greenwich, London.
The 20-month-old boy was rushed to hospital and neighbours described how the horrifying attack resembled a horror movie.
FacebookNoel was attacked before by someone else’s dog when he was out walking his three[/caption]
FacebookRuben has now been euthanized and the couples other two dogs have been seized[/caption]