A ‘brave’ pet owner heroically stood ‘neck deep’ in mud as she tried to save her beloved Jack Russell Indi as the pair were mauled by savage dogs – as its revealed the pooch is still fighting for life as vet bills hit $25,000.
Elle Booth, 34, was walking Indy at Boggy Well Creek, at Lugarno in south Sydney, at 9am on Sunday were set upon by two Irish wolfhounds being walked by another man.
The pair ran into the muddy creek to seek shelter, where they spent around half an hour trying to fight off the vicious dogs until they were rescued by police armed with pepper spray.
Ms Booth was rushed to St George hospital after suffering injuries to her face, neck, arms, hands and legs, while Indy was rushed to a vet with critical internal injuries, where she remains in intensive care.
Now, friend Tess Hutchinson has recalled how Ms Booth, who had recently moved to the area with her husband Tom to give their pets bush trails to explore, bravely tried to protect Indi after the two aggressive dogs started nipping at her.
Elle Booth, 34 (pictured) bravely tried to save the life of her pooch, Indi, as the pair were mauled by two dogs
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 at Boggy Well Creek off Booyong Avenue, Lugarno, at 9am on Sunday
‘Indi, overwhelmed with fear, darted towards the river in a desperate attempt to escape the relentless assault,’ Ms Hutchinson said.
‘The dogs chased, followed by Elle and the man who was walking these dogs. Indi was forced beyond the mangroves and into the mudflats beyond. The larger dogs caught Indi once again, pinning her under the mud for a period.
‘With no hesitation, Elle charged after Indi, into the mangroves, her own safety abandoned in her unwavering determination to save her loyal companion.
‘In a heroic act, Elle managed to pull Indi from the clutches of the attacking dogs, but not without sustaining severe injuries herself.’
Ms Hutchinson said the man walking the dogs blew a whistle and the dogs paused, with Ms Booth taking the opportunity to move further into the mud as she desperately tried to shield her companion from further harm.
Friends have recounted how Ms Booth bravely fought to protect Indi (pictured) as they were attacked
The seven-year-old Jack Russell is now fighting for life in hospital
But when she turned back toward the shore and bush track, the man was nowhere to be seen – and she realised she was all alone.
‘For 20 minutes, Elle stood in neck deep mud holding Indi above, trying to clear Indi’s airway of mud, and continuing to hold the larger dogs off,’ Ms Hutchinson said.
Emergency services then arrived at the scene after a family on the other side of the embankment saw the incident unfolding and called for help.
The conditions were so treacherous officers who came to Ms Booth and Indi’s aid also got stuck in the mud.
Ms Booth’s husband has also shared an update about her condition, saying his wife was ‘brave as hell’ and he was ‘so proud of her’.
‘Hey all, a big 36hrs for poor Elle and Indi after they were attacked by two wolfhounds yesterday,’ he wrote.
‘Elle is currently in surgery for her hands and forearm, she has a whole lot of bites from defending Indi.’
Ms Hutchinson said the event had changed the couple’s lives ‘forever’ and has filled them with ‘sorrow, heartache, and unspeakable pain’.
She has launched a GoFundMe to help cover the cost of Indi’s medical bills – which have hit $25,000 but are expected to climb as she goes into life-saving surgery.
Tom Dale (pictured) said he is ‘proud as hell’ of his wife’s efforts to save their pet
Ms Booth requires surgery after suffering horrendous injuries
Ms Booth is pictured with Indi, who the couple welcomed into their family in 2016
She said despite receiving the best care possible, there is no guarantee that Indi will survive, but she hopes garnering funds will give her the best chances of pulling through.
‘Elle has suffered severe physical injuries and will have a long road to recovery, not to mention the emotional damage experienced,’ she said.
‘But it is not herself that Elle is concerned about; Indi has suffered horrendous, life-threatening injuries.
‘Elle and Indi’s road to recovery will be long and arduous, both physically and emotionally. The trauma they have endured has left them with deep scars that will take time to heal,’ she said.
‘We are humbly reaching out to compassionate individuals like you, seeking your support to help them rebuild their lives and regain their sense of security in our own backyard.’
Indi the Jack Russell Terrier was seriously injured in the mauling and remains in a critical condition at a local vet
Two dogs were seized by police and Georges River council rangers from a nearby home (pictured) Investigations are ongoing
The two dogs were seized by Georges River Council and are believed to have since been put down.
In a statement on Monday, a spokesperson said Georges River Council acknowledges incidents of this nature are very upsetting for everyone in our community.
‘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.’
The council would not confirm whether the dogs had been put down, saying: ‘As this matter is now under investigation, Council is not in a position to make further comment.’
Ms Booth is accompanied to an ambulance after the harrowing ordeal
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk