Noel Backhouse, 66, was killed by Ruben the Rottweiler at his home in Tasmania, Australia (Picture:Facebook)
A woman mauled by her pet Rottweiler shared a social media post blaming owners rather than dogs weeks before her husband was killed by their dog.
Karen ‘Maree’ Anderson, 64, and Noel Backhouse, 66, were set upon by Ruben the Rottweiler at their home in Allens Rivulet, Tasmania, Australia, on Sunday night.
A neighbour called emergency services when they heard noise at 10.40pm but Mr Backhouse died in the home after suffering bites to his hands and arms.
Ms Anderson suffered serious injuries to her lower legs and was rushed to Royal Hobart Hospital where she remains in a stable condition.
The social media post reads: ‘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?’
Daily Mail Australia reports the couple loved taking Ruben and their other pets – a French Bulldog called Evie and a German Shepherd named Tori to dog shows.
Mr Backhouse has been exhibiting pure-bred dogs, including several different Rottweilers, for more than a decade.
The Facebook post was posted by Ms Anderson in June (Picture: Facebook)
Mr Backhouse used to take Ruben for walks around the neighbourhood (Picture: Facebook)
Ruben also used to be taken to dog shows (Picture: Facebook)
Ruben was awarded two trophies and two ribbons after winning Best State Bred Dog and Best Opposite State Bred at the Rottweiler Club of Tasmania Specialty Show last November.
Mr Backhouse was attacked by a Pitbull while out walking Tori and Ruben with his wife in July 2022.
‘In an attempt to keep Ruben safe, Noel was badly bitten,’ Ms Anderson wrote online, alongside photos of Noel’s bloody hands and wrists.
‘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,’ she said.
Authorities said the dog had turned on Mr Backhouse and Ms Anderson (Picture: Facebook)
Mr Backhouse was also injured by a Pitbull in July 2022 (Picture: Facebook)
Ruben has now been euthanised and the two other dogs have been seized by the council while an investigation is carried out.
It is understood a neighbour has launched a community initiative to help take care of the couple’s other dogs while Ms Anderson recovers.
Tasmanian Police Inspector Colin Riley said: ‘This is a family that have had a loved pet.’
‘Unfortunately, that animal has turned on them and it’s had tragic outcomes.’
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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