Mother mauled to death by pet dog was trying to protect friend
The Canberra woman mauled to death by her pet dog was trying to stop it from attacking her male friend.
Tania Klemke had previously described her dog Simba as her best friend but around 4am Wednesday she was attacked while trying to protect a male visitor.
It was neighbours who raised the alarm when they heard the man screaming for help - and when the policed arrived, the dog turned on them too.
Police had entered the house and tried to provide first aid to the mother-of-three but the dog, which is understood to be a pit bull, attacked officers, resulting in a number of shots being fired to kill it.
“Police were directed by a male in the backyard into the premises towards a female lying inside, a dog was also inside," Detective Acting Superintendent Tony Crocker said
"While CPR was being performed on the female victim, the dog moved to attack the police officers, and in order to protect themselves there was a necessity to discharge the fire round.”
The man who was also attacked at the home is recovering in hospital and receiving counselling after receiving a minor bite on the inside of his leg.
It's also been revealed that the dog was known to Domestic Animal Services after a previous incident in August.
“On one previous occasion [Domestic Animal Services] did attend that household at the request of ACT police," ACT City Services Minister, Meeghan Fitzharris, told ABC.
“I understand that someone may have been injured, and I also understand that the dog may have been injured in that attack as well... Clearly the dog was dangerous.”
Ms Klemke's devastated son told Seven News that she "had the biggest heart and always did anything that she possibly could for the people she loved and cared for."
"This is a very tragic event for the family and our thoughts go out to the family for what is quite a horrific incident," Act. Supt. Crocker said.
