Retiree Hospitalised After Brutal Kangaroo Mauling During Dog Rescue
A Victorian retiree is fortunate to be alive following a terrifying confrontation with a kangaroo while attempting to save his pet dog from drowning. The incident occurred at a rural property near Yea in northeast Victoria, leaving the man, named Col, with severe injuries that required extensive hospital treatment.
Horrific Injuries Sustained in Seconds-Long Attack
Col sustained deep wounds to his stomach and back during the relentless mauling, alongside what he described as "a big hole on the a*** cheek" from a powerful kick. The attack unfolded with shocking speed, lasting approximately twenty-five seconds but inflicting multiple serious injuries.
"It was really quick, a lot of injuries for probably 25 seconds of work," Col recounted during an interview with 3AW afternoon host Jacqui Felgate. "If I hadn't rolled onto my stomach, I would have been in a much worse way."
Dramatic Rescue Attempt Turns Violent
The terrifying episode began when Col and a friend heard commotion while enjoying drinks in a shed. They discovered a large kangaroo attempting to drown Col's seven-year-old dog in a nearby dam. Col intervened by striking the marsupial with a stick, prompting an immediate and violent retaliation.
"He's come out of the water like a bloody rocket and headbutted me in the face really, and then punched the crap out of me," Col described. "We hit heads and when I stood up to run away, he's given me what I would describe as a flying roundhouse to the back."
The kangaroo then pinned Col to the ground, using what he called "gremlin hands" to grab his head while continuing to kick violently. "He was growling the whole time," Col added, emphasising the animal's aggressive behaviour throughout the assault.
Shovel Intervention Ends Brutal Assault
The relentless attack only concluded when Col's companion struck the kangaroo on the head with a shovel, allowing Col to escape. The kangaroo was last seen returning to the dam and remains at large in the area.
Col spent six hours in hospital receiving treatment for his extensive wounds, including stomach injuries that ultrasound revealed penetrated three inches deep. Despite the trauma, he maintained a sense of humour about the incident.
"I'm a bit embarrassed that I got flogged by a kangaroo," Col admitted. "I'm more annoyed that it tore through my brand new shirt."
Wildlife Expert Weighs In on Unusual Attack
Alex Krstic from Wildpro Pest Control described the confrontation as unusual but noted that kangaroos are formidable wild animals capable of inflicting serious damage. "You've got to remember these things are wild animals," Krstic explained to Felgate. "They're quite adept at fighting and that's how they establish themselves among the mob."
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers when humans encounter wildlife, even in familiar rural settings. Col considers himself "very lucky" to have survived the brutal encounter with relatively minor consequences given the severity of the attack.
