UPDATE: Exotic bird that killed Alachua County man auctioned off

UPDATE 4/27/19:

The Cassowary has been auctioned off along with Hajos' other exotic animals.

A Gulf Coast Livestock Auction representative has confirmed that the bird that killed Hajos was sold.

The identity of the buyer and price have not been released.

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UPDATE 4/15/19:

In a phone conversation with an official from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, it was confirmed to TV20 that there is no permit required to breed cassowaries in Florida.

Since there is no permit required to breed the birds, Hajos was not breaking the law. The Alachua County Sheriff's Office originally confirmed to TV20 that Hajos was breeding the birds.

On the FWC website, cassowaries are classified as Class II Wildlife.

"Class II wildlife can also pose a danger to people," the website reads. "Substantial experience and specific cage requirements must be met."

The website goes on to mandate that permits are required for exhibition, sale and personal possession of Class II wildlife, like cassowaries.

The FWC official TV20 spoke with made the distinction between personal possession and breeding, saying the fact that the birds were being bred negated the need for a permit.

In an interview on Monday, Lt. Brett Rhodenizer from ASO said they believe Hajos was inside the pen with a metal rod attempting to retrieve an egg from one of the birds when he was attacked.

The future of the two breeding pairs of birds, which remain on the property, will be decided by the family.

"Throughout the state, you have folks who are involved in these type of livestock or other animal activities where accidents do occur," Rhodenizer said. "While this is incredibly unique and incredibly tragic for the family, it is not unusual for farmers, ranchers."

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An Alachua man is dead after he was attacked by an exotic bird he was keeping on his property.

Alachua County sheriff's deputies say the 75-year-old was breeding the rare birds.

The bird is called Cassowary, it's large and similar to an Ostrich or Emu and sometimes called "the most dangerous bird in the world."

75-year-old Marvin Hajos from Alachua had two along with a variety of other exotic animals on his property.

According to reports, it all started with an unusual call for the Alachua County deputies Friday morning, says Lieutenant Joshua Crews of the Alachua County Sherriff's office.

EMS responded to an incident where the caller gave information that an exotic bird had attacked somebody on the property.

"I didn't know there were many in private hands, just shocking you know," said Andrew Kratter, who manages the bird collection at the Florida Museum of Natural History. "I've heard that they're dangerous but I always thought it was almost an urban myth that they were capable of killing a person."

The birds were corralled before deputies arrived, but Hajos died from his injuries later at the hospital.

"Cassowaries are native to Australia and Papua New Guinea and as somebody who actually lived in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea for ten years as a child I can tell you from first-hand experience that we were always told there are two animals that you simply do not mess with because of their violent and aggressive nature. The first is a Wild Boar and the second is a Cassowary," said TV20's reporter Landon Harrar, who lived in Papua New Guinea.

"Apparently they can be pretty aggressive if they feel threatened and they have this nasty toe that they can kick with and as you can see it's a fairly fearsome weapon for them," Kratter added.

"They have very strong legs, kick defense, claws that can literally gut you because they can jump over 4 feet in the air and that can hit anybody in the mid-section," said Christine Janks, an animal conservationist and educator for Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation.

As to what will happen to the birds?

"Right now, I think it's going to be up to the people that end up taking the property, so family members and what they do with that. What they do with the bird is going to be ultimately their decision," said, Lieutenant Crews.

FWC says the birds are permitted for breeding through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The Cassowary can grow to over six feet tall and weigh up to 130 lbs and their claws can grow up to 5 inches long.

(updated 6:30 PM on 4/14/19)

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An Alachua County man attacked and killed by his own exotic bird. According to Alachua County Fire Rescue, 75-year-old Marvin Hajos was near his pet cassowary when he fell and the bird attacked.

A Cassowary is an exotic, 6-foot tall flightless bird native to Australia and New Guinea. They've been called 'the world's most dangerous bird,' due to their four-inch dagger-like claws and incredibly strong legs.

Lieutenant Brett Rhodenizer with the Alachua County Sheriffs Office says at this time, it seems the attack was quote 'a tragic accident.' An investigation is underway, and the bird remains secured on private property.