Anthony Riggs had adopted the dog Photo: Jackson Madison County Rabies Control
Posted on 11/19/2015 8:36:55 AM PST by Perseverando
Dog lover Anthony Riggs was killed by a Rottweiler he had adopted from an animal control centre
Anthony Riggs had adopted the dog Photo: Jackson Madison County Rabies Control
Tributes have been paid to a Tennessee man who was 'mauled to death' by a stray dog he had adopted on the day he died.
Anthony Riggs was attacked by a five-year-old male Rottweiler that had been taken in by a county-run animal control facility.
"He never hesitated to be with dogs. Sometimes I thought he related to dogs better than to people," his ex-wife Adrienne Riggs told the Jackson Sun.
"Tony was a good man and a loving man and a good person with animals and he didn't deserve to die the way that he did."
Man killed by Rottweiler the same day he adopted it: https://t.co/PVz4oqkz7T pic.twitter.com/VUZqmCAcNm — David Nelson (@DavidNelsonNews) November 17, 2015
She added: "A docile dog does not turn in three hours and kill somebody. Something was wrong.
"You just can't put a dog that may be dangerous out with an unsuspecting family. That's just wrong."
His wife Kathy Riggs told police she found him dead on the floor after returning home with colleague Teresa Sanchez.
The canine bit both of the women before running out of the house explained Ms Sanchez. Police then arrived and shot the animal.
"He wasn't growling or showing teeth - he just bit us like he did it all the time or something," she wrote on Facebook.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
The dog was obviously a Syrian refugee.
Hence the apparent divorce?
Given that the guy wasn’t a novice with dogs, it sounds like the shelter has a problem.
There is always a delicious irony associated with an extreme animal lover being killed or eaten by the very animal he loves to the extreme. (Now forgive me Lord.)
That is a sad story and scary too. I’m a cat person, but if I were to adopt a dog some breeds I would not consider, especially if they are adults.
He bit the hand that feed him....and his face, neck, head, arms, legs and .....
The problem with powerful dogs like these is, when they get angry, as any dog does on occasion, they can do serious damage. Then, some breeds are bred to be especially aggressive, although it’s clear that, if properly trained and cared for, they can still make excellent house pets.
We knew this man. He lived next to an antique shop we visit often and sometimes he was at the shop on weekends. The shop is seven miles from where we live.
My husband and I had recently been discussing adopting a dog from the shelter and ruled it out due to concern that our current dog might not adapt well.
This is just so sad.
Someone screwed up real bad to let that dog back out into general circulation.
Maybe “animal lover” was too accurate a description?
I’m sorry for your loss.
Reminds me of that guy in Alaska and the bears. Now lots of people want to “pet” the Syrians.
Pit Bulls and Rotties combined make up something like 90% of all fatal dog attacks.
My guy really wants a rottie, but that’s not happening, so we compromised. We currently have 4 chihuahuas, all shelter rescues.
Animal shelters are kidding themselves if they think they can adequately test and certify such dogs as safe.
They should minimize the risk and make those dogs the unfortunate ones to get put down.
Same here. Indeed he has become my “poster child” for animal lovers: i.e. “I love you bear” and it ate him.
True dat.
When was the last time you read about someone being killed by their pet cat? (Not that your cat wouldn't LIKE to kill you from time to time. Cats just don't have the ability)
The article says the dog was adopted from an animal control facility. Those are not reputable animal shelters. Animal shelters thoroughly screen the animal they take in. Among other things, they test for temperament. Animal control facilities don’t bother with that. If you take in an animal from animal control, it’s buyer beware.
LOL. He certainly wasn’t properly vetted, was he?
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