EXCLUSIVE
A dog-lover mauled by her Rottweiler shared a social media post suggesting the breed is not aggressive and asked ‘when will they blame the humans' – weeks before her husband was tragically killed by their dog.
Retiree Noel Backhouse, 66, and his wife Karen ‘Maree' Anderson, 64, were at their home in Allens Rivulet, a small rural community 25km southwest of Hobart, when they were suddenly set upon by their Rottweiler, Ruben, on Sunday night.
A neighbour heard the commotion and called Triple Zero at about 10.40pm, but despite the best efforts of paramedics Mr Backhouse died at the scene after suffering critical injuries to his lower legs.
Ms Anderson, a teacher, also suffered serious injuries to her lower legs and was rushed to Royal Hobart Hospital where she remains in a stable condition.
Retiree Noel Backhouse, 66, died after being mauled by his pet Rottweiler on Sunday night
His wife Maree Anderson (pictured) suffered serious injuries and is in a stable condition in hospital
Ruben, 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 devout canine-lovers who regularly took their pets to dog shows.
Ms Anderson also advocated for animal welfare online.
Just five months ago, she shared a post suggesting some dog breeds get a bad rap over attacks when its their owners who should be blamed.
‘In the 70s they blamed the Dobermans. In the 80s they blamed the German Shepherds,' the post reads.
‘In the 90s they blamed Rottweilers. Now they blame the Pitbull.
‘When will they blame the humans?'
Pictured: Trophies and ribbons won by Ruben at a Tasmanian dog show last year
In June, Ms Anderson shared the above post suggesting Rottweilers are not aggressive by nature
According to an online profile, Mr Anderson has been exhibiting pure-bred dogs, including several different Rottweilers, for more than a decade.
In November last year, Ruben was awarded two trophies and two ribbons after winning Best State Bred Dog and Best Opposite State Bred 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 while trying to save the life of the dog which would later take his.
In July 2022, the couple were walking Tori and Ruben along a walking track when the off-leash dog suddenly pounced on their pets.
‘In an attempt to keep Ruben safe, Noel was badly bitten,' Ms Anderson wrote online, alongside photos of Noel's bloody hands and wrists.
‘The owner arrived on his bike and took off when the police were called.'
Ms Anderson said Noel, Ruben and Tori were doing OK and had been placed on antibiotics, but she was furious at the other pet owner.
‘I'm just so angry that an idiot like this thinks it's OK to allow his dog to roam freely while he follows on his bike… with no control over the animal,' she said.
The couple also own a German Shepherd and a French Bulldog
Mr Backhouse was left with bloody hands after protecting Ruben from a Pitbull in July last year
After the attack, Ruben was euthanised at the couple's property by an animal management officer from the Kingborough Council.
The other two dogs were seized by the council while officers investigated the tragedy.
Daily Mail Australia understands a neighbour has since launched a community initiative to help take care of the couple's other dogs while Ms Anderson recovers.
Speaking to media on Monday, Tasmanian Police Inspector Colin Riley said the Sunday night attack appeared to be random.
‘This is a family that have had a loved pet,' Mr Riley said.
‘Unfortunately, that animal has turned on them and it's had tragic outcomes.'
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
