10 Disturbing Deaths Caused By Pets

10 Tragic Deaths Caused by Pets

Many warn against it, yet people still choose exotic animals as pets. Some have forged genuine bonds with their human companions. But, there are wild animals not meant to be pets, as the term implies. Unusual pets have turned on owners, even killing them and sometimes consuming them. Here are 10 such cases.

Humphrey The Hippo

Marius, a 40-year-old Army Major from South Africa, was killed by his pet hippo, Humphrey. Despite rescuing Humphrey at 5 months old, the hippo turned on Marius one afternoon, dragging him to the river and biting him to death. Humphrey thought to be a gentle giant, proved to be dangerous and aggressive, responsible for more deaths than lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos combined. Before Marius' death, Humphrey had displayed violent behavior, killing cats and chasing travelers. There were warning signs of Humphrey's menacing nature, including escaping his enclosure and threatening golfers.

Ricky Winhold

Ricky Winhold met a tragic fate at the hands of a bull, a seemingly calm and docile animal. Despite their peaceful reputation, bulls can display territorial and aggressive behavior when provoked. In February 2010, Winhold, a 52-year-old farm owner from Philadelphia, was fatally attacked by one of his pet bulls in his barn. His strong bond with his animals led him to care for them daily, particularly a newborn calf he was nurturing. The injuries inflicted on Winhold were reportedly caused by the hooves and head of the bull, which had previously cracked his ribs the summer before. His body was discovered by his son, Dale Zimmerman, in the barn stable. Cows, often underestimated, possess a surprising level of danger. Weighing as much as a small car, their sheer size can cause serious injury, or even death, if not approached with caution. Remember, it's wise to avoid provoking animals that have the potential to harm you effortlessly.

Marvin Hao

Marvin Hao was killed by a pet cassowary. These birds, considered one of the most dangerous on Earth, are like large emus from Northern Australia. In April 2015, Marvin was killed by one on his farm in Aluia, Florida. He had many other exotic animals as pets on his property, like a Joe Exotic setup. The incident happened when he stumbled and fell during chores, leading to a severe attack. Moments later, he was rushed to the hospital but didn't survive. Cassowaries are known for their powerful legs and sharp claws, capable of puncturing steel. Encounters with them in the wild have ended in threats and destruction. Don't underestimate the danger they pose.

Terry Scarner

Terry Van Scarner, a 69-year-old farmer from Oregon, was possibly killed and eaten by his own Hogs. His family grew suspicious when he didn't return from feeding his animals. They found only his dentures and small body parts in the enclosure later on. Hogs can eat almost anything, even human remains. There are guides on how to dispose of a body using Hogs. The exact circumstances of Terry's death remain a mystery. Some believe he may have had a medical emergency, while others think he was knocked over by the animals and eaten. A pathologist couldn't determine the cause of death. It remains a chilling and unsolved mystery.

Tiny

On August 25th, 2018, Daniel Brandon from Hampshire, UK, was killed by his pet African rock python. Known as "Tiny," the python had a friendly relationship with Dan, despite some cases of aggression towards others. In a tragic turn of events, Dan was found unconscious in his bedroom with Tiny coiled beneath a cabinet. There were no marks on Tiny's skin, indicating that the situation escalated quickly. Despite Dan's knowledge of handling snakes, sometimes even a wild animal can turn unexpectedly dangerous. It serves as a haunting reminder of the unpredictability of nature.

Cheyana Hair

On July 1st, 2009, a 2-year-old girl named Cheyana Hair was strangled and killed by the family's 12-foot-long albino Burmese python named Gypsy. Charges of manslaughter in the third degree and child neglect were brought against the mother, Jaren, and her boyfriend, Charles Darnell. The python owner, DaNell, found the snake coiled around the toddler and tried to loosen its grip by stabbing at it, but it was too late. Gypsy had been let out of its 200-gallon aquarium to play, a violation of Florida state laws that require pythons to be kept locked up. Previous escapes by the snake were not taken seriously. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission confiscated the python and another snake, treating the python for its stab wounds. Researchers have found that pythons may somehow know when their prey's heart stops, a chilling realization that adds an even darker layer to this tragedy.

Sandra Piasan

Sandra Piasan was killed by her pet wolf dogs. These wolf dogs are a hybrid of wolves and domestic dogs. Sandra, a 50-year-old woman from Pennsylvania, kept nine of these animals in her backyard. Her husband found her mauled and partially eaten by the same animals. The death was initially thought to be an accident, but later it was determined that the pack needed more space to roam and hunt. All nine wolf dogs were euthanized after the incident. These powerful creatures took the life of their owner, leaving a haunting reminder of their true nature.

Nagar Muhammad and Pam Weaver

In a small village, a man named Nagar Muhammad was killed by his own pet monkey. The monkey, usually docile, suddenly attacked Muhammad, causing a deep and fatal wound. The incident occurred while Muhammad was trying to train the monkey to climb coconut trees, behind his house. His son found him hours later, already dead. The monkey also bit Muhammad's son on the neck. Another chilling tale tells of a woman named Pam Weaver, who was found dead on a family property, with the family's pet camel as the suspected killer. The camel had shown aggressive behavior before, attempting to smother a pet goat. It eventually attacked Weaver, stomping on her and leaving deep footprints on her face and arm, leading to her suffocation. Some experts believe the camel's actions were driven by mating instincts, making the incident even more disturbing. These stories serve as a reminder to be cautious around animals, especially when they exhibit strange or dangerous behavior.

Mark Vogle

Lastly, Mark Vogle, a 30-year-old man in Dortmund, Germany, was found dead in a horrifying scene. His body was covered in giant spiderwebs with live spiders crawling all over him, even entering his nose and mouth. Vogle had exotic pets, including dangerous animals like black widow spiders, lizards, snakes, and termites. It was unclear how the creatures escaped their cages. Gabby Bayer, a spider expert, warned that Vogle's collection was unsuitable for private homes. The aggressive spiders he kept were described as the "pit bulls of the animal world." It was a terrifying discovery made by the police after a neighbor complained about a foul odor coming from Vogle's house. This incident serves as a cautionary tale about keeping dangerous creatures as pets.