Kangaroo Drowning Dog: A Rare but Deadly Encounter

Kangaroo drowning dog is a rare but deadly encounter that can happen when a dog is left unattended near a body of water where kangaroos are present.

In Australia, where kangaroos are common, dog owners need to be aware of the risks.

If a dog is not a strong swimmer, it can quickly become exhausted trying to keep its head above water while being chased by a kangaroo.

Drowning is a silent killer, and in this scenario, it can happen in a matter of seconds.

Additional reading: Man Saves Dog from Kangaroo in Water

Kangaroos will go to water if they're threatened by a predator. This is a strong instinct that's been observed in many cases.

Kangaroos have been recorded running to water when chased by predators, and it's not necessarily a fight instinct. They're probably trying to escape the threat.

In fact, herbivores like kangaroos will typically run into water when chased by a predator. This is a common behavior observed in many animals.

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A man's morning walk with his dog ended in a brutal encounter with a "monster" kangaroo.

Kangaroo attacks on humans do occur, although uncommon.

A seven-foot-tall kangaroo seized a dog and attempted to drown it in the Murray River in Mildura, Victoria.

Mick Moloney, a former police officer and martial artist, fought the kangaroo to save his dog's life.

Most kangaroo attacks on humans are likely because a dominant male kangaroo has mistaken the human for another male kangaroo.

Kangaroos are powerful animals, capable of causing bruising and puncture wounds from their sharp toe claws.

Moloney walked away with some scratches on his arm, but he and his dog were mostly unscathed.

Kangaroos will often run to water when threatened by a predator.

The instinct to do so is strong, with kangaroo ecologist Graeme Coulson noting that kangaroos will go to water if they're threatened.

Big male kangaroos can indeed drown dogs in this way.

In fact, Dr. Coulson had a neighbor who lost two dogs to kangaroos in this manner.

Running to water is more likely an attempt to escape than a deliberate act to drown a victim.

Kangaroos are herbivores and will typically flee from predators, and water provides a means of escape.

If a kangaroo wants to fight, it will use its powerful back legs to kick and drive its claws into the threat.

This behavior is rare, but has been recorded resulting in deaths.

Kangaroos perceive dogs as a threat because they closely resemble dingoes, one of their deadliest predators.

Dingoes are a major concern for kangaroos, as they have been known to attack and kill them. This is why kangaroos will often seek refuge in nearby water bodies when they sense danger.

Male eastern gray kangaroos, which are one of Australia's four species of kangaroos, can weigh up to 150 pounds and have long, powerful arms and sharp claws. They use these physical attributes to defend themselves against predators.

The instinct to defend themselves against predators has been passed down through generations of kangaroos, making it an automatic response to perceived threats.