Brave dog owner speaks out after harrowing ordeal
Eleanor Booth has spoken out after she was forced to defend her Jack Russell terrier from a vicious attack by two Irish wolfhounds.
The 34-year-old was walking her dog Indi on the popular walking track in south Sydney when they were set upon by the two dogs being walked by a man whose identity remains a mystery.
Eleanor ran into a muddy creek to seek shelter, where they stayed for 30 minutes as they tried to fend off the animals until eventually being rescued by police armed with pepper spray.
After suffering from critical injuries sustained during the ordeal, Indi tragically died on Monday evening after being rushed into veterinary intensive care.
“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.
Ms Booth said she saw the owner of the vicious dogs run off and initially believed 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.
Police are continuing to investigate the identity of the man and urge anyone with information to come forward.
Following the terrifying ordeal, Elle’s husband Tom Dale told Daily Mail Australia that 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.
After Indi was taken to veterinary intensive care, 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.
Family friend Tess Hutchison said the event had changed the couple's lives “forever” and has filled them with “sorrow, heartache, and unspeakable pain”, prompting her to set up a GoFundMe page for the couple.
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.
“We want to say a huge thank you to each and every one 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.
Image credits: 7News