Canberra woman Tania Klemke, who was killed by her pet dog last year, was found by the coroner’s report to be protecting a visitor, ABC Reports.
The report, compiled by Karen Fryar, also found that authorities had been notified about the aggressive dog in October last year before the fatal attack occurred.
The dog, a cross Staffordshire terrier pit bull named Simba, reportedly attacked a visitor to Ms Klemke’s home by biting him on the thigh.
When the visitor, a man, tried to push the dog away with his bicycle, he reportedly fell over, with Simba jumping on top of him.
Police at the scene of the attack
Ms Klemke pulled Simba away and told the man to lock himself in the laundry, but Simba attacked Ms Klemke, causing fatal injuries.
Police were called to Ms Klemke’s home at 3:50 am after neighbours heard her screams, and found Ms Klemke lying on her floor with Simba standing over her, displaying “protective behaviours.”
Police used pepper spray and a taser to nullify Simba, before shooting him.
Ms Fryar noted that a number of previous incidents had occurred involving Simba, in which relevant bodies were notified of the aggressive nature of the dog.
Ms Klemke was mauled to death in her own home
One such incident involved Simba being aggressive towards Ms Klemke’s boyfriend after he kicked a door.
“Simba was only deterred after Ms Klemke was able to restrain him, but a neighbour first had to hit Simba in the head with a baseball bat,” said Ms Fryar.
Ms Fryar noted that Ms Klemke was clearly aware that the dog was dangerous, and used him for self-protection.
Domestic Animal Services had reportedly been called several times, but no action had been taken to remove the dog from the community in the process.
Dog attacked reportedly rose by over 25% this year alone, which prompted the introduction of tough new laws last month in relation to dog-to-owner attacks.
