Daughter of man killed in brutal chicken attack thought bird was ‘nice and docile’
The daughter of a man who died after being attacked by his pet rooster has revealed the brutality of the attack.
Jasper Kraus, 67, had a heart attack after his Brahma chicken suddenly plunged its spur into his leg, causing catastrophic blood loss and eventual death in Roscommon, Ireland.
His daughter Virginia Guinan, 33, has warned others of the dangers of poultry farming and said her father, who had two grandchildren, was an experienced animal handler.
READ MORE: Nicola Bulley diving expert says ‘whisky bottle’ could be key to finding missing mum
Retired horse trainer Jasper was in his garden on April 28 last year when he was attacked by the rooster from behind.
The bird stabbed a spike located on the back of its legs into Jasper’s left leg.
(Image: Getty Images)
Virginia is encouraging owners to watch out for signs of aggression and be more cautious when working in close proximity to them.
She had formerly owned the bird but her father took it back after it tried to attack her three-year-old daughter Josie.
Virginia said: “A year earlier, the same rooster jumped the wall and jumped on Josie’s back.
“After that I knew I had to get rid – we should have put him down there and then because we knew he was no good.
“But my dad protested. He had too big of a heart and didn’t want me to get rid of the rooster – so he took it instead.”
The animal has since been put down.
Virginia recalled seeing her father in a pool of blood as paramedics attempted unsuccessfully to resuscitate him.
Her father’s strange cause of death has led to much analysis, not least because only a handful of people are thought to have been killed this way ever.
Virginia said: “We don’t know why it happened – that breed was supposed to be soft and cuddly.
“This particular bird was thought to be a nice and docile breed, and good for children. But this shows any breed can be dangerous.
“For this to happen is so rare and unbelievable, but it can happen.”
To get more stories from the Daily Star delivered straight to your inbox sign up to one of our free newsletters here.
READ NEXT: