34 Facts About Pets That Killed Their Owners

Unusual Pets Turn Deadly

Some people choose to keep exotic or unusual pets, but these choices can sometimes lead to tragic outcomes. Here are some chilling stories of owners who met their end at the hands of their extraordinary pets.

1. Kelly Ann Walls and Her Carnivores
   Kelly Ann Walls, 37, kept a Bengal Tiger, an African Lion, and a Black Bear. While cleaning the bear's cage, it attacked and killed her. The bear had been fed dog food, which might have triggered the attack.

2. Pam Weaver and Her Pet Camel
   Pam Weaver received a camel for her 60th birthday. The 150 kg camel, known for erratic behavior, knocked her down and attempted to mate with her, causing her to suffocate.

3. Riki Weinhold and His Bull
   Riki Weinhold, a cattle enthusiast, was attacked by his one-ton bull in Philadelphia just before his 53rd birthday. The injuries proved fatal.

4. Sandra L. Piovesan and Her Wolf-Dogs
   Sandra L. Piovesan raised nine wolf-dogs. She was found dead in their cage, partially eaten. The hybrid pets had clawed and bitten her, causing her to bleed to death.

Common Pets with Deadly Outcomes

Even common pets can become dangerous under certain circumstances. These stories highlight the unpredictability of animals we often consider safe.

5. Unnamed Man and His Bull Terrier
   A Liverpool resident was found dead, with his bull terrier, Buster, having feasted on his corpse for several days.

6. Janet Veal and Her Feline Friends
   Janet Veal's body was discovered in her home, partially eaten by her cats. This incident shows that even cats can turn deadly.

7. Woman and Her Hamster
   A woman was found dead with unusual marks on her face. Her free-range golden hamster had scavenged on her body, using her skin and muscle tissue for its burrow.

Exotic Pets Gone Wrong

Exotic pets can be fascinating, but they come with significant risks. These stories serve as cautionary tales for those considering such animals.

8. Marius and His Pet Hippo
   Marius kept a hippopotamus named Humphrey, a notoriously aggressive animal. Details are scarce, but the risks of keeping such a pet are evident.

9. Charla Nash and Her Pet Chimpanzee
   Charla Nash was attacked by Travis, a chimpanzee owned by her friend. The violent attack nearly killed her, highlighting the dangers of keeping primates as pets.

10. The Duxbury Tragedy
    Cynthia Lee Gamble, 52, was found dead near her 500-pound tiger's cage. She had been caring for two other Bengal tigers, underscoring the perils of keeping wild animals.

Dogs: Man's Best Friend or Worst Enemy?

Dogs are often considered loyal companions, but certain breeds and circumstances can lead to fatal outcomes.

11. The Killer Python
    A mother and her boyfriend were sentenced to 12 years in prison after their albino Burmese python strangled their two-year-old daughter. The snake had been starved, leading to its aggression.

12. Susan Shawl and Her Pit Bull Dog
    Susan Shawl, 60, was mauled by her two pit bulls in Conifer, Colorado. Her son tried to intervene but was also injured. Susan died shortly after the attack.

13. Terry Vance Garner and His Domestic Hog
    Terry Vance Garner, an elderly farmer, was attacked by his hogs while feeding them. His body was found scattered throughout the hog enclosure.

Fatal Encounters with Common Pets

Even pets we consider harmless can sometimes turn deadly. These stories reveal the hidden dangers of everyday pets.

14. Norman Buwalda and His Siberian Tiger
    Norman Buwalda, chairman of the Canadian Exotic Animal Owner's Association, was killed by his Siberian tiger. A ten-year-old boy had been mauled by the same tiger years earlier.

15. The Unnamed Man and His Dog
    An unnamed man from Poland was attacked by his dog, which nearly severed his arm. The man died shortly after being taken to the hospital.

16. The Baby Attacked by a Bull Terrier
    A seven-week-old baby in Poland was attacked by the family bull terrier. The baby arrived at the hospital with a damaged skull and broken bones and later died.

Tragic Incidents Involving Dogs

Dogs can be unpredictable, especially when not properly trained or socialized. These incidents highlight the potential dangers.

17. The Woman Attacked by Shepherd Dogs
    A 50-year-old woman in Greece was bitten over 50 times by three escaped shepherd dogs. The owner was arrested, and the dogs were confiscated.

18. The Man Attacked by an American Staffordshire Terrier
    A 60-year-old man in Poland was found dead with numerous bite wounds. His dog, an American Staffordshire Terrier, was euthanized.

19. The Baby Killed by a Pit Bull
    In the Netherlands, a baby was found dead in a flat with a pit bull-type dog. It was confirmed that the dog killed the baby.

20. The Woman Killed by Pit Bulls
    A 60-year-old woman in Greece was killed by her sons' two pit bulls in her apartment.

21. The Man Killed by a Rottweiler
    A 66-year-old man in Tasmania was bitten by his family dog, Ruben, causing fatal injuries to his lower legs. His wife also sustained serious injuries.

Fatal Encounters with Family Pets

Family pets can sometimes turn on their owners, leading to tragic outcomes. These stories serve as a reminder of the potential risks.

22. Tracy Ridout and Her German Shepherd
    Tracy Ridout, 53, contracted Capnocytophaga canimorsus from a minor injury caused by her German Shepherd. She died from severe sepsis.

23. Mia Riley and Her Rottweilers
    Five-week-old Mia Riley was attacked by two Rottweilers while sleeping in her cradle. She died from major skull trauma and internal bleeding.

24. Kane Minion and His Bandog Bullmastiff Cross
    Kane Minion, 42, was attacked by two dogs while working in Queensland. He died at the scene, and the dogs were euthanized.

25. Jyedon Pollard and His Cattle Dog
    Two-year-old Jyedon Pollard was attacked by the family's cattle dog. He died from his injuries.

26. Talan Peters and His Bull Arab
    Two-year-old Talan Peters was mauled to death by the family's pig hunting dog. He died from internal bleeding after emergency brain surgery.

Unexpected Pet Attacks

Sometimes, even the most unexpected pets can become deadly. These stories highlight the unpredictability of animals.

27. Bethany Lynn Stephens and Her Dogs
    Bethany Lynn Stephens, 22, was found dead in the woods, with her two dogs guarding her body. The dogs had killed and eaten her.

28. The Unfortunate Man and His Cat
    A 68-year-old man was bitten by his pet cat, leading to a bacterial infection that caused an aortic aneurysm. He died from severe sepsis.

29. Snowball’s Revenge
    Snowball, a cat known for its aggressive behavior, attacked and killed its owner. The incident left behind a trail of blood and destruction.

30. Andre Lumboga and His Snake
    Andre Lumboga was killed and eaten by his pet snake. The snake had been starved, leading to its aggressive behavior.

Revisited Tragedies

Some incidents are so shocking they warrant a second look. These stories serve as stark reminders of the dangers of keeping certain pets.

31. The Duxbury Tragedy (Revisited)
    Cynthia Lee Gamble's death underscores the risks of keeping wild animals as pets. Her 500-pound tiger was euthanized after the incident.

32. The Killer Python (Revisited)
    The case of the albino Burmese python that strangled a two-year-old girl highlights the dangers of owning exotic pets. The owners were convicted and sentenced to prison.

33. Susan Shawl and Her Pit Bulls (Revisited)
    Susan Shawl's death at the hands of her pit bulls emphasizes the need for proper training and socialization of pets.

34. Terry Vance Garner and His Domestic Hog (Revisited)
    Terry Vance Garner's death serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of even seemingly harmless animals. Proper handling and care of livestock are crucial to avoid such tragedies.

Lessons from Tragic Pet Incidents

These tragic stories remind us of the unpredictability and potential dangers of keeping certain pets. While many animals make wonderful companions, some can turn deadly under specific circumstances. Proper care, understanding, and respect for these creatures are crucial. Exotic pets, in particular, require specialized knowledge and handling. Even common pets like dogs and cats can pose risks if not properly trained or if their behavior is misunderstood. It's essential to recognize signs of aggression and ensure pets are well-fed, healthy, and secure. These incidents highlight the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for awareness about the potential risks involved. By learning from these unfortunate events, we can better protect ourselves and our beloved pets, ensuring a safe and harmonious relationship.