EXCLUSIVE
A dog lover mauled by her Rottweiler shared a social media post suggesting the breed is not aggressive and asked ‘when are they going to blame humans’ – weeks before her husband was tragically killed by their dog.
Pensioner Noel Backhouse, 66, and his wife Karen ‘Maree’ Anderson, 64, were at home in Allens Rivulet, a small rural community 25km southwest of Hobart, when they were suddenly attacked by their Rottweiler, Ruben, on Sunday evening.
A neighbor heard the commotion and called Triple Zero at around 10.40pm, but despite paramedics’ best efforts, Mr Backhouse died at the scene after suffering serious injuries to his lower legs.
Ms Anderson, a teacher, also suffered serious injuries to her lower legs and was rushed to the Royal Hobart Hospital where she remains in a stable condition.
Pensioner Noel Backhouse, 66, died on Sunday evening after being mauled by his pet Rottweiler.
His wife Maree Anderson (pictured) was seriously injured and is in a stable condition in hospital.
Reuben, who authorities say was a beloved pet who “turned” on his owners, has since been put down
Daily Mail Australia can reveal the couple, who also own a French bulldog called Evie and a German shepherd named Tori, were avid dog lovers and regularly took their pets to dog shows.
Ms Anderson has also advocated for animal welfare online.
Just five months ago, she shared an article suggesting that some dog breeds were getting a bad rap for attacks when it was their owners who should be blamed.
“In the 70s, people blamed the Dobermans. In the 80s they blamed German Shepherds,” the post read.
“In the 90s, we blamed Rottweilers. Now they blame the Pitbull.
“When will they blame humans?
The couple were passionate about dogs and Ms Anderson regularly exhibited their pets at dog shows.
Pictured: Trophies and ribbons won by Ruben at a dog show in Tasmania last year
In June, Ms. Anderson shared the post above suggesting that Rottweilers are not aggressive by nature.
According to an online profile, Mr. Anderson has been showing purebred dogs, including several different Rottweilers, for more than a decade.
In November last year, Ruben was presented with two trophies and two ribbons after winning Best State Breed Dog and Best Opposed State Breed Dog at the Rottweiler Club of Tasmania Specialty Show.
In a cruel twist of fate, Mr Backhouse was savagely attacked by a Pitbull 14 months ago as he tried to save the life of the dog who would later take his own.
In July 2022, the couple was walking Tori and Ruben along a walking path when the off-leash dog suddenly lunged at their pets.
“In an attempt to keep Ruben safe, Noel was severely bitten,” Ms Anderson wrote online, alongside photos of Noel’s bloodied hands and wrists.
“The owner arrived on a bicycle and left when the police were called.”
Ms Anderson said Noel, Ruben and Tori were fine and had been placed on antibiotics, but she was furious with the other pet owner.
“I’m so angry that an idiot like this thinks it’s okay to let his dog roam freely while he follows him on his bike… without any control over the animal,” he said. she declared.
The couple also owns a German Shepherd and a French Bulldog.
In online posts, Ms Anderson adored the couple’s pet dogs, affectionately calling them “our boys”.
Mr Backhouse was left with bloody hands after protecting Ruben from a Pitbull in July last year
After the attack, Ruben was euthanized at the couple’s property by a Kingborough council animal management officer.
The other two dogs were seized by the council while officers investigated the tragedy.
Daily Mail Australia understands a neighbor has since launched a community initiative to help care for the couple’s other dogs while Ms Anderson recovers.
Speaking to media on Monday, Tasmania Police Inspector Colin Riley said Sunday night’s attack appeared to be random.
“This is a family that had a beloved pet,” Mr Riley said.
“Unfortunately, this animal turned on them and it had tragic consequences.”
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
