Elderly Woman Dies After Pet Rooster Punctured Her Varicose Vein

Stock image of a rooster. (Danielkirsch/Pixabay)

An elderly woman died in southern Australia after a pet rooster attacked her and punctured her varicose vein while she was collecting eggs from a chicken coop.

The unusual attack led to a warning about the dangers posed by seemingly harmless animals, according to the Daily Mail, quoting Australian outlet The Advertiser.

The identity of the elderly woman and her age have not been disclosed to help avoid further trauma for her family.

The Advertiser reported that the rooster punctured her varicose vein with its beak and the woman died due to continuous bleeding.

The case was studied by Adelaide University forensics expert Professor Roger Byard who is studying deaths caused by animals deemed harmless, to help doctors conduct autopsies in such cases.

“Most importantly I’m trying to get elderly people have varicose veins treated with a simple operation because they are especially vulnerable to being broken,” he told The Advertiser.

According to Medical News Today, varicose veins are large, swollen veins often seen on feet or legs. They happen when the faulty valves in the vein let blood flow in the opposite direction. About 23 percent of adults suffer from the condition, with around one in four adults in the United States having them.

Stock image of a rooster. (NickyPe/Pixabay)

Another rooster attack case was reported in July, prompting the authorities in a small Arkansas city to take action.

Jan Larson, mayor of the city of Jasper, said something had to be done about a rooster after it started chasing people as they walked down the street.

“He attacks them and scratches,” Larson told the Arkansas-Democrat Gazette. “It would be all right if you were young enough that you could kick him. But some people are older and could fall. We can’t let people get hurt because of an errant rooster.”

The rooster came to prominence after it started patrolling the sidewalk of a street in front of a house and chasing people who passed by. Larson called the rooster “vicious.”

Stock image of a rooster. (Capri23auto/Pixabay)

Larson added that the rooster went after a woman who fell down and also chased a little boy.

“That’s the sad part of it, especially if you’re a 3-foot-tall person or a doddering lady like me who can’t run,” Larson said.

She said roosters and chickens are permitted by authorities in Jasper. “We are a small town,” she said. “People have chickens here. That’s not a big deal really. But we are also a city. We can’t let our animals attack people.”

People were complaining about the unruly rooster, according to Police Chief Michael Henderson. “We did get a written complaint, but there were no injuries,” Henderson told the Arkansas-Democrat Gazette.

Stock image of a chicken coop. (Giallopudding/Pixabay)

Why Do Roosters Want to Fight People?

Some roosters can be aggressive since they are chicks but most turn aggressive and attack after they reach puberty at about six to seven months of age, according to Hobby Farms.

Roosters protect hens and if a hen squawks in someone’s presence, the rooster might leap and attack to defend her.

“Roosters usually warn before they attack. If your rooster lowers his head and dances when he’s looking at you or he runs up on your heels as you’re walking away, consider these early signs of aggression,” said Hobby Farms.

If you stare at a rooster or walk straight towards him, he may think you are challenging him. If you start running when he becomes aggressive, he will think you are scared.

“Some experts say to never fight with an ornery rooster. Instead, wear gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and boots for protection, then disarm an attacking rooster by crouching down and feeding him treats out of your hand,” Hobby Farms said.