A physio who told police he was ‘pet-sitting’ two Irish wolfhounds that mauled a Jack Russell to death and injured her owner has been pictured for the first time since the attack – but refused to answer questions about what happened or clarify whether he was the dogs’ owner.
Elle Booth, 34, and her pooch Indi were set upon by savage dogs being walked by an unknown man at Boggy Well Creek, at Lugarno in south Sydney, at 9am on Sunday.
Ms Booth spent 20 minutes in neck-deep mud heroically trying to fight off the dogs as the pair were mauled.
Indi tragically died after undergoing emergency surgery on Monday night, while Ms Booth is recovering from surgery on her arm and forearm.
A short time later, the dogs were seized from the Peakhurst Heights home of married couple George and Bashira Helou, both aged in their 50s, who told police they were pet-sitting at the time.
It is unclear if Mr Helou was the man walking the Irish wolfhounds at the time of the attack.
When Daily Mail Australia approached Mr Helou outside his business, Lugarno Sports Injury Clinic, on Wednesday morning, the experienced physio refused to answer questions about what happened.
George Helou (pictured) has emerged after two Irish wolfhounds responsible for a savage mauling were seized from his property on Sunday
Mr Helou sat in his front seat covering his face with his hands for several moments before finally getting out of the vehicle
Mr Helou is seen pulling up at his Lugarno sports injury clinic on Wednesday morning
Shielding his face from cameras, Mr Helou hid behind the driving seat of his car after pulling into the clinic’s driveway.
When asked to explain what unfolded, who owned the dogs, and whether he had anything to say to Indi’s grieving owners, Mr Helou kept his head down as he emerged from his red ute and stormed into the clinic.
Locals told Daily Mail Australia they had seen dogs prior to Sunday being walked around the neighbourhood by Mr Helou.
One man said he was ‘shocked’ by the news as the dogs seemed quite friendly.
A local woman said she thought there were only two dogs residing at the property but learned from police there were three at the residence when the dogs were seized over the weekend.
Another neighbour said Mr Helou did own two wolfhounds, however, the physiologist has told police the dogs responsible for the attack were not his – but were another two dogs he was pet-sitting.
He told police they escaped from his yard by jumping the back fence.
Mr Helou’s lawyer Elias Tabchouri told reporters on Tuesday that his client had spoken to police about ‘these matters’ and the ‘subject of those discussions is all part of the investigation’.
A large metal dog crate – used for transporting pets on the back of utes – could be seen sitting in the carport of the Helous’ property on Tuesday.
Despite Mr Helou telling police the dogs escaped from his property, Ms Booth’s husband Tom Dale told Daily Mail Australia the wolfhounds were being walked by a man at the time of the attack.
It remains unclear if that man was Mr Helou or another relative or associate.
George Helou and his wife Bashira (pictured) own and operate a sports injury clinic in Lugarno
The Helous’ son Josh and his wife Joanne (pictured) also work at the clinic
Two Irish wolfhounds (pictured) were seized by police and Georges River council rangers from the Helous’ Peakhurst Heights home
An empty dog transportation crate was seen sitting in the Helous’ carport on Tuesday
According to reports on Sunday, the council was still working to find the dogs’ owners after taking the dogs from the premises.
When contacted on Tuesday, a council spokesperson said they could not comment on whether the owners have since been located as the matter is under investigation.
Mr Helou is the lead physiologist at the family-run business, where his wife works as head of operations, his son Josh as a chiropractor, and his daughter-in-law Joanne as head of marketing.
According to the clinic’s website, it has been operating in south Sydney for more than 30 years and is a ‘family-owned business you can trust’.
‘The team at the clinic are highly motivated in helping the community in improving their mobility, strength and overall health,’ it reads.
Ms Booth (pictured), 34, was rushed to St George hospital in the city’s south after suffering injuries to her face, neck, arms, hands and legs in the savage attack
The seven-year-old Jack Russell (pictured) never recovered after being admitted to hospital on Sunday
It is not the first time the Helous have refused to discuss how the brutal attack unfolded.
When Daily Mail Australia contacted the clinic on Tuesday, the Helous hung up the phone.
Mr Helou’s sighting comes after Ms Booth said she was ‘lucky to be alive’ after the dog attack which claimed her little Jack Russell’s life.
‘It was heartbreaking, she was killed in my arms… I am genuinely lucky to be alive if they had decided to attack me I could have died,’ Ms Booth told 7News on Tuesday.
Ms Booth said she saw the man who was with the vicious dogs run off and was initially relieved assuming he had gone to get help – but it was the last she saw of him.
‘I hope he takes responsibility for what has happened to my dog and to me,’ she said.
Dog attack victim Elle Booth (pictured with her husband Tom) said: ‘I thought I was going to die, I thought those dogs were going to kill me’
The mystery man had blown a whistle and the dogs momentarily paused during the attack, with Ms Booth taking the opportunity to move further into the mud as she desperately tried to shield her pet from further harm.
But when she turned back toward the shore and bush track, the man was nowhere to be seen – and she realised she was alone.
Police are continuing to investigate the identity of the man and urge anyone with information to come forward.
The conditions were so treacherous that officers who came to Ms Booth and Indi’s aid also got stuck in the mud.
Her husband Tom Dale told Daily Mail Australia his wife was ‘brave as hell’ and he was ‘so proud of her’.
‘He [the man] was yelling at Elle to get Indigo to stop running away, as it was exciting his dogs. He was trying to stop them but they were out of control,’ Mr Dale said.
‘He followed Elle down to the mangroves and when he saw his two dogs mauling Indi in the mud further out, he turned and ran away.’
Family friend Tess Hutchison set up a GoFundMe to help raise money to cover Indi’s vet bills as they soared to $25,000. She said the funds would grow as Indi still needed to undergo emergency surgery, with no guarantee she would survive.
On Tuesday, Ms Hutchinson announced Indi had sadly passed away while undergoing surgery.
Family friend Tess Hutchinson announced on Tuesday morning Indi (pictured) had passed away overnight while undergoing emergency surgery after the horror attack
‘Unfortunately last night Indi passed away due to three heart attacks while being operated on,’ Ms Hutchinson said.
‘She fought until the very end and was such an incredibly brave little pup who will forever be loved by many.’
The Irish wolfhounds are believed to have been put down shortly after they were seized.
Georges Council said they could not comment because the matter remains under investigation.
‘We can confirm council staff worked with police on the day to locate and seize the dogs and will continue to work with police during the investigation,’ a spokesperson said on Monday.
‘Residents are reminded to exercise responsible pet ownership to ensure the safety of our community and the wellbeing and safety of their pets by always walking their dog on a leash, unless in an authorised off-leash area.’
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk