The son of a Canberra mother who was mauled to death by her pet pitbull, Simba, has paid tribute to the woman who was ‘the most important person in his life’.
Tania Klemke was killed Wednesday morning after stepping in when her beloved dog began to bite the leg of her partner.
Her son, Cody Baker, said he could not stop imagining his mother’s final moments and ‘her screaming for her life’, but emphasised her love for the animal, the ABC reports.
The son of Canberra mother Tania Klemke, who was mauled to death by her pet pitbull, Simba, has paid tribute, calling her ‘the most important person in his life’
‘I found out my mum had passed in a terrifying way by a dog that loved her so much,’ he said.
‘I still can’t believe it — I’ve lost the most important person in my life, the woman that gave birth to me, the woman that made me who I am today.’
The 22-year-old said he was hurt his mother would never be able to watch her three children grow-up and felt as though she would still greet him when he visited the Watson home.
‘She did not deserve this and she definitely didn’t f***ing deserve to go the way she did,’ Mr Baker said.
Tania Klemke (pictured) was killed Wednesday morning after stepping in when her beloved dog began to bite the leg of her partner
Her son, Cody Baker, said he could not stop imagining his mother’s final moments and ‘her screaming for her life’, but emphasised her love for the animal (pictured)
Police were called to the home around 4am after neighbours reportedly heard desperate screams coming from Ms Klemke’s residence.
Officers arriving at the premises tried to save Ms Klemke’s life, however the pitbull then turned on them, forcing them to shoot it dead.
The woman’s partner is in hospital recovering from a serious wound to his leg, sustained during the dog attack.
Ms Klemke reportedly knew the dog was dangerous but would not get rid of him because he once ‘took a bullet’ for her during a violent home invasion, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The 22-year-old (pictured with his mother and the dog) said he was hurt Ms Klemcke would never be able to watch her three children grow-up
Pictures of the dog and Ms Klemke appear to show a deep bond, with one photo showing her son Cody nuzzling Simba’s face as Ms Klemke sits nearby, unconcerned.
However, speaking out after Ms Klemcke’s death, shocked friends said she had warned them about stopping by the property as the dog had a habit of attacking visitors.
In one instance in August, a person was left needing 42 stitches after being bitten by the pitbull.
On Wednesday, ACT city services minister Meegan Fitzharris confirmed rangers and police were called out to the property in August to deal with the animal.
Police had also been forced to draw weapons on the dog on that occasion, but it was allowed to remain at the property.
Police were called to the home around 4am after neighbours reportedly heard desperate screams coming from Ms Klemke’s residence and found her inside
Officers arriving at the premises tried to save Ms Klemke’s life, however the pitbull turned on them, forcing them to shoot it dead
‘Clearly the dog was dangerous, clearly the dog has attacked someone overnight, someone we understand to be their owner or carer and that woman has died,’ Ms Fitzharris said.
‘Whether we knew enough at the time to have it declared as a dangerous dog is another matter we’re following up on.’
Describing the death as ‘tragic’, a spokesperson for ACT Police said there would be an ongoing investigation.
‘On arrival police were directed by a male in the backyard into the premises towards a female that was lying inside,’ the spokesman said.
‘A dog was also inside the premises. Police entered and attempted to provide first aid to the woman inside the house.
‘While she was being worked on the dog attacked police officers, forcing them to fire a number of shots.’
Simba (pictured) had previously left a person was needing 42 stitches, with rangers and police previously sent to the property after an incident in August
Describing Ms Klemcke’s death as ‘tragic’, a spokesperson for ACT Police said there would be an ongoing investigation