The Western Grey Kangaroo is believed to be the species responsible for the attack. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
A 77-year-old man was killed yesterday afternoon after it’s believed that his pet kangaroo attacked him.
St John paramedics were called to a property close to the town of Redmond near Albany in Western Australia where it was reported by a family member who found the man that he had been seriously injured by a kangaroo earlier in the day.
Upon arrival, ambulance officers were confronted by the animal who was reportedly extremely aggressive and stopped them from getting to the injured man.
Police were called to the scene where the made the decision to shoot the animal.
“The kangaroo was posing an ongoing threat to emergency responders and the attending officers were required to euthanize the kangaroo by firearm,” said a police spokesperson.
Despite killing the animal, paramedics were unable to save the man and he died at the scene from his injuries.
Police allege the kangaroo was being kept as a pet by the man and was less than a year old.
It’s believed the marsupial was a Western Grey Kangaroo, which is commonly found in the area.
They can weigh from 30-54 kg and can be 94-222cm in length from head to tail according to Perth Zoo.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
It’s the first time in 86 years that a person has been killed by the animal.
The last time was in 1936 when a 38-year-old man by the name of William Cruickshank was killed after he tried to stop a fight between his two dogs and a kangaroo.
The incident happened in the town of Hillston in NSW with Cruickshank having suffered a broken jaw and serious injuries to his head.
