Man Takes His Own Life After Alligator Mauls His Service Dog: Report
- 5 years ago
A man reportedly took his own life, a day after an alligator killed his dog.
A 36-year-old Florida man with mental health issues took his own life the day after his service dog was attacked and killed by an alligator, reports the New York Post.
According to the Herald-Tribune, Andrew Epp took his Labrador retriever named Java to Dog Leg Canine Park on May 17 when the animal was reportedly mauled by the alligator.
A frequently used path in the park is said to be located close to wetlands containing alligators and rattlesnakes, but the dangerous area is obscured by trees and not visible to those unfamiliar with the area.
Epp killed himself the next morning, reports the New York Post.
WFLA notes that the man's family has since said his distress over the dog seems to have triggered the fatal decision.
The family also revealed on a GoFundMe page that he struggled with mental health issues and was refused admittance by local mental health facilities the night before he died "because he wasn't vocalizing that he wanted to hurt himself."
A 36-year-old Florida man with mental health issues took his own life the day after his service dog was attacked and killed by an alligator, reports the New York Post.
According to the Herald-Tribune, Andrew Epp took his Labrador retriever named Java to Dog Leg Canine Park on May 17 when the animal was reportedly mauled by the alligator.
A frequently used path in the park is said to be located close to wetlands containing alligators and rattlesnakes, but the dangerous area is obscured by trees and not visible to those unfamiliar with the area.
Epp killed himself the next morning, reports the New York Post.
WFLA notes that the man's family has since said his distress over the dog seems to have triggered the fatal decision.
The family also revealed on a GoFundMe page that he struggled with mental health issues and was refused admittance by local mental health facilities the night before he died "because he wasn't vocalizing that he wanted to hurt himself."