"The most dangerous bird in the world" kills a 75-year-old man in Florida

A 75-year-old man was attacked and killed by a large exotic bird he kept as a pet on his property in Florida, described by experts as "the most dangerous bird in the world," authorities said.

Marvin Hajos died from injuries suffered during the bizarre attack of a casowary, a flightless hen with knife-shaped claws that can support up to 6 feet in height and weigh more than 100 pounds, according to officials.

Hajos was on his property, in the suburb of Gainesville, in the suburbs of Alachua, when he apparently stumbled and fell around 10 am Friday. The casoar, who looks like an emotive Australian, is then thrown at him, according to the Sheriff's County Alachua's office.

Firefighters and paramedics took Hajos to the hospital where he died, officials said.

"After what I understood, the gentleman was near the bird and fell at one point, when he fell, he was attacked," said the deputy chief. from the Alachua County Fire Department, Jeff Taylor, to the Gainesville Sun newspaper.

The sheriff's office is investigating the death, as well as the Florida Wildlife and Fish Conservation Commission, officials said.

"Initial information indicates that it is a tragic accident for Mr. Hajos and his family," said Lt. Brett Rhodenizer in a statement released Sunday.

Rhodenizer stated that the cassowary who had attacked Hajos had been secured and remained on the Hajos property.

The San Diego Zoo describes the casoars on its website as "the most dangerous bird in the world"

"Each 3-toed foot has a dagger-shaped claw on the inner end that can reach 4 inches long!" the San Diego Zoo website reads. "The cassowary can open up a predator or potential threat with a quick kick, and powerful legs allow the cassowary to run up to 50 km / h through the dense undergrowth of the forest."