A woman who stood neck-deep in mud desperately tried to protect her dog from two Irish wolfhounds has spoken out after undergoing surgery on her hands.
Elle Booth, 34, was walking her Jack Russell Indi at Boggy Well Creek, at Lugarno in south Sydney, on Sunday when they were set upon by the two dogs being walked by a man whose identity remains a mystery.
The pair ran into a muddy creek to seek shelter, where they spent around half an hour trying to fight off the vicious dogs until eventually being rescued by police armed with pepper spray.
Indi sadly died on Monday evening after rushed into veterinary intensive care with critical injuries.
‘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 and her pooch ran into the muddy creek to seek shelter, where they spent 20 minutes trying to fight off the wolfhounds (pictured in the creek) until they were rescued by police
The seven-year-old Jack Russell (pictured) never recovered after being admitted to hospital on Sunday
Ms Booth said she saw the owner of 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,’ Ms Booth said.
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 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’.
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’
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
‘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 announced on Tuesday morning Indi 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.’
Meanwhile, Ms Booth was rushed to St George Hospital after suffering injuries to her face, neck, arms, hands and legs and underwent surgery on her hands and forearm on Monday.
The horror incident comes after the couple had only recently moved to the area to give their pets bush trails to explore.
Ms Hutchinson said the event had changed the couple’s lives ‘forever’ and has filled them with ‘sorrow, heartache, and unspeakable pain’.
Family friend Tess Hutchinson announced on Tuesday morning Indi (pictured) had passed away overnight while undergoing emergency surgery after the horror attack
Elle Booth, 34 (pictured, with Indi) bravely tried to save the life of her pooch, Indi, as the pair were mauled by two dogs
A GoFundMe page set up for the brave pet owner surpassed its $25,000 goal – the cost of Indi’s vet bills – within hours.
Ms Hutchinson shared her appreciation for everyone who had rallied to support the couple.
She said despite Ms Booth suffering serious injuries, her concern and focus since the attack had been on Indi’s wellbeing.
‘We want to say a huge thank you to each and everyone of you who have donated, sent kind words and had both Elle and Indi in their thoughts over the last couple of days,’ she said.
‘Elle has suffered severe physical injuries and will have a long road to recovery, not to mention the emotional damage experienced.’
After the attack, the Irish wolfhounds were seized by Georges River Council at a Peakhurst home.
Two dogs were seized by police and Georges River council rangers from a Peakhurst home (pictured) Investigations are ongoing
In a statement on Monday, a spokesperson said Georges River Council would not confirm whether the dogs were put down.
‘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.
‘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.’
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