A 34-year-old woman and her pet Jack Russell terrier have been seriously injured in a vicious dog attack involving two Irish wolfhounds in southern Sydney.
The woman received injuries to her face, neck, arms, hands, and legs and is in a stable condition at the St George Hospital following the incident in Lugarno at 9am on Sunday.
NSW Police Chief Inspector Paul Callaghan said the local woman may have broken her arm and need hand surgery, while her dog, a Jack Russell terrier, is in a critical condition at a veterinary hospital.
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The 34-year-old was walking her dog around Boggy Well Creek off Booyong Ave when two wolfhounds attacked the Jack Russell terrier, Callaghan said.
The woman found her dog seeking refuge in the Georges River, but the two wolfhounds attacked her when she and the dog became trapped in mud surrounding the river, Callaghan said.
“She put aside her own safety for the love of her own dog as I’m sure many, many people would,” he said.
A local was watching the incident unfold while they were using their binoculars on the opposite side of the river, and immediately called triple-0.
When police fire and rescue arrived, they were confronted by the two “aggressive” dogs, and officers had to use pepper spray to disperse them, Callaghan said.
While the 34-year-old managed to crawl out of the mud by removing some of her clothing, one police officer who was trying to assist her remained stuck for some time.
The woman was taken to the hospital while her friend took her dog to a nearby vet, Callaghan said.
“It’s an absolutely terrifying circumstance for a lady by herself and her small dog,” he said.
“The victim herself requested NSW Ambulance to drive her past that vet in case the worst happened and the dog passed.”
Police worked with the George’s River Council to locate and seize the two dogs involved.
Investigations are ongoing, Callaghan said.
He said the local council would determine what will happen to the two wolfhounds involved.
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