Local inspection Krone – Fatal dog attack: whole place in shock

A small town, with a few houses, fields around: At the local inspection “Krone” on Monday afternoon – a warm late summer day – there was little to remind us of the gruesome bloody act of that morning. A fatal dog attack took place in Naarn im Machland around 9:15 am. The exact circumstances are still being investigated. It is certain that the American Staffordshire terrier ‘Elmo’ attacked jogger Hertha A. (60) about 200 meters from his home and literally tore her to pieces.

Dog had a thirst for blood
“Elmo” must have had a real bloodlust. The owner, who is an experienced breeder and has three dogs at home, tried to pull the American Stafford away from the woman and was injured herself. She eventually managed to lock the animal in the house. But when she returned to the field path, the jogger – she lived in the immediate area – was already dead. A neighbor, who works as a nurse, had already discovered the victim and tried in vain to save the woman – the terrible bite wounds were too severe.

The entire settlement is in shock
When ‘Krone’ visited the town on Monday afternoon, it quickly became clear: the shock in the entire settlement was deep. It is very quiet. People stand in front of their house and discuss. Neighbors describe that the two women – they have a one-year-old child at home – always traveled with their three dogs on a leash and with muzzles. The house and garden are surrounded by a fence.

Incident a week ago
But a few days ago, one of the young family’s dogs reportedly escaped. “I was out with my horse and my dog ​​the week before when one of the dogs suddenly appeared. Because I was afraid for my animals, I grabbed the dog and brought it back,” says neighbor Andrea Kriechbaumer-Wagner in an interview with “Krone”. And then she adds, “When I think about it, I feel very uncomfortable.”

Drama while walking the dog
Contrary to initial rumors, “Elmo” may not have escaped. The dog owner was walking the male and a female – the breeder recently enjoyed the couple’s offspring – when jogger Hertha A. approached from behind. ‘Elmo’ probably broke free and bit the victim’s face.

Owner only in town for a short time
The young couple and their three dogs had only moved to the town four years ago, but never really felt at home. There was hardly any contact with the neighbors. But many neighbors had uneasy feelings about the dogs. “If you walked past the house, they would always run there and make terrible weather,” said another neighbor. “I have dogs myself, but those dogs scared me,” says another.

Animal was euthanized
“There have never been any problems with the owner. She also has all the certificates for her breeding,” says Mayor Martin Gaisberger. In the afternoon he decided to accept the animal. But the owners themselves took action after the attack: “We voluntarily put the animal to sleep,” said the owner’s visibly shocked wife in an interview with the ‘Krone’ before leaving the building in the car. “Elmo” was euthanized on Monday evening at the instigation of the owners.

The breeder herself was only treated in the hospital on an outpatient basis, but then had to be hospitalized due to her mental illness. ‘Of course she’s not feeling well. “We are all not doing well,” the woman is devastated. But many other people are also traumatized, such as the neighbor who found the victim. The Red Cross crisis intervention team was on the scene and attended to the victim’s family, neighbors and also police officers, who were among the first to inspect the body.

The victim’s husband had a dark premonition
Tragic detail: The victim’s husband became aware of the incident through media reports. Unable to reach his wife on the phone and knowing she wanted to go jogging, he drove home. There he had to identify his deceased wife based on the clothing.