An Australian Woman Has Been Killed By Her Pet Rooster

An Australian woman has died after she was attacked by her 'aggressive' rooster.

According to reports, the elderly woman was collecting eggs from her chicken coop when the animal went for her, puncturing a varicose vein with its beak.

Reports in The Advertiser said the victim had also suffered several injuries, but the main cause of death was bleeding.

It's understood that the identity of the woman is not being released to protect her family from any more unnecessary trauma.

The tragic incident has led to renewed public warnings over the dangers of animals who may at first glance seem harmless but who pose a very real threat.

PA

Adelaide University forensics expert Professor Roger Byard has been studying the dangers some animals pose - particularly to the elderly.

Speaking to The Advertiser, he said: "I'm trying to get elderly people who have varicose veins treated with a simple operation because they are especially vulnerable to being broken.

"[This case] made us realise how vulnerable the elderly are - [varicose veins] are very easy to damage."

The professor also said another Australian woman died when a cat scratched her leg.

He said: "Many of the examples we have found of animals causing death are a warning for elderly people.

"For example, cats are a very common tripping hazard for the elderly around the house that they may never think of. Cats like to rub against ankles and legs and commonly lead to tripping injuries."

PA

And while injuries to varicose veins are particularly dangerous, Professor Byard warned that they aren't the only thing people should be wary of with regards to animal attacks.

He added: "We have done studies that show people have just been around their homes and bled to death by knocking their leg and vein on something."

Earlier this year, a man was killed by a large flightless bird that he owned.

Speaking to the BBC, Alachua County Sheriff Department confirmed they were called to the man's home where they and found Marvin Hajos badly wounded by a cassowary.

He was then rushed to hospital where he sadly died from his injuries.

At the time, Deputy Chief Jeff Taylor said: "My understanding is that the gentleman was in the vicinity of the bird and at some point fell. When he fell, he was attacked."

Topics: World News, Animals, Australia

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom