Neighbours 'feared 16 stone dog had eaten the postman' after coming across disturbing scene
Neighbours were shocked to see a 16-stone dog chomping on what looked like a bloody 'severed arm' - with many joking the pooch had devoured the postman.
Stay-at-home mum Debra Ann Ridge, from Des Moines, Iowa, is the owner of a giant five-year-old English mastiff, Tatanka.
While the dog is more than friendly, locals were left startled when the pup was seen carrying a grisly looking arm in its mouth.
Advert
It's a sight that'd make anyone run a mile. So, why was Tatanka 'prancing' around with a bloody arm?
Well, the answer is way nicer than we'd first thought and it turns out that the pup is just having a little fun - even if it does look like a scene from a zombie apocalypse.
Despite what the pictures suggest, it turns out that the arm is, in fact, a Halloween prop and Tatanka's 'favourite' toy.
What happened to the good old-fashioned ball, eh?
Advert
Still, Debra Ann thinks the whole thing is hilarious. She said: "It is very funny, we laughed very hard. Tatanka is a 224lb English Mastiff so his size alone makes people take a second look but a body part in his mouth really makes people stop and look."
Yep, you heard right, 224 pounds, so Tatanka easily makes the heavyweight division in the UFC.
Even if the toy is startling, Debra Ann insists they're just getting into the Halloween spirit.
She said: "He prances around with the arm in the yard, and the neighbours do give us quite the look until they realise it is a Halloween prop and not the real thing."
Advert
The neighbours are quick to joke about the giant dog, with Debra Ann saying: "They always make comments like 'you certainly have a helping hand,' 'has Tatanka been digging in the yard again?' and 'don’t need security cameras with Tatanka.'
"They make jokes like 'I see he’s been digging in the backyard again' or 'is that the mailman?'"
Hey, at least Debra Ann is sleeping easy, even if her neighbours aren't.
Despite his initial appearance, Tatanka is a huge softie that loves cuddles on the sofa, even if he does 'run around' while 'throwing' a severed arm toy in the air.
Still, Debra Ann wouldn't dream of taking the toy away - it's Tatanka's 'favourite.'
Advert
She said: "I was preparing for Halloween and every year I bring out the 'infamous arm', my boy becomes so excited and grabs it and runs off with it.
"I bought the arm off eBay. It was about $7 and we've had about seven or eight over the years.
"He does this every year, and then I have to purchase another."
Shola Lee