The owner of a Jack Russell terrier that died after being mauled in a savage attack by two dogs while stuck in mud in Sydney’s south says she is “lucky to be alive” after the terrifying ordeal.
Elle Booth and her dog Indi were seriously injured when they were attacked by two Irish wolfhounds while walking at Boggy Well Creek in Lugarno on Sunday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Lugarno dog attack victim opens up on terrifying ordeal.
Watch the latest news and stream for free on 7plus >>
Booth underwent surgery on her both hands and will require more after receiving “bad puncture wounds” in the attack. Meanwhile, little Indi died after suffering three heart attacks on Monday.
Speaking exclusively to 7NEWS, Booth recalled her terror as the animals lunged while she was stuck in chest-high mud, hoisting Indi above her head for safety.
“I thought that I was going to die,” she said.
“I thought those dogs were going to kill me and they did kill my little dog.”
Booth tried desperately to save Indi, running after her beloved pet when Indi fled into the Georges River to hide.
“It was heartbreaking. She was killed in my arms,” she said.
Husband Tom Dale told 7NEWS: “I think she was down there for about 25 minutes in the mud fending these two dogs off.”
“They were circling her, which is pretty intense, coming in and taking chunks out of Indi and out of her,” he said.
The owner of the two Irish crosses was there with a hunting whistle but offered no assistance to Booth as she cried out for help.
“I saw him run off and I assumed he was running to get help. I felt relieved after that,” she said.
But a local who was watching the incident unfold from across the river immediately called triple-0 for help.
When police fire and rescue arrived they were confronted by the two “aggressive” dogs and officers had to use pepper spray to disperse them.
“She put aside her own safety for the love of her own dog as I’m sure many, many people would,” NSW Police Chief Inspector Paul Callaghan said earlier.
“It’s an absolutely terrifying circumstance for a lady by herself and her small dog.”