EXCLUSIVE
A woman who cowered in a swamp to avoid a dog attack that killed her Jack Russell terrier is now suing the physiotherapist who allegedly owned the animals.
Eleanor Booth, 35, was walking her dog Indigo – ‘Indi’ for short – at Boggy Well Creek in Lugarno, South Sydney, at around 9am on July 9 last year when they were allegedly attacked by two Irish Wolfhounds.
The pair ended up in wetlands where they tried to fend off the savage attack for about half an hour until they were rescued by police armed with pepper spray.
Indi suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a veterinary clinic, but died the next day during emergency surgery. Ms Booth was also hospitalized for injuries to her face, neck, arms, hands and legs.
Following a seven-month investigation by George River Council, alleged dog owner George Helou, 55, was charged with eight offenses in February. He has pleaded not guilty and the case will be heard in March next year.
Now Daily Mail Australia can reveal Ms Booth has filed civil proceedings against Mr Helou in the NSW District Court on a public liability claim.
She is seeking damages for the injuries she allegedly suffered and claims Helou was negligent in failing to take reasonable care to prevent the incident.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Booth and Mr Helou’s legal representatives for comment.
Elle Booth is escorted out of the muddy creek by officers on July 9, 2023
George Helou (pictured) has been charged after his two Irish Wolfhounds allegedly mauled a Jack Russell and a woman, killing the small dog
Shortly after the incident in July 2023, Mr Helou is said to have told police he was ‘babysitting’ the two Irish wolfhounds.
However, according to court documents obtained by Daily Mail Australia, police will allege he owned the two dogs and let them run loose when they encountered Ms Booth and Indi.
Police will allege the unrestrained dogs harassed, chased and then attacked Indi before turning on Mrs Booth when she intervened in an attempt to save her pet.
Mr Helou reportedly did not have a dog leash on him at the time and then ran away while Ms Booth and Indi were stuck in the creek, allegedly being attacked by his dogs.
“The defendant was reckless because his two dogs are large dogs that were not tied in a public place and for which there were no apparent means available,” police allege in the court documents.
“Upon encountering Indigo and her owner, the suspect failed to gain proper control of his two dogs and subsequently left the area, leaving his dogs behind as they behaved aggressively towards Indigo and her owner.”
Shortly after Ms Booth and Indi were rescued by police, the two dogs were seized and put down by council staff at Helou’s home in Peakhurst Heights.
Meanwhile, many who heard the story gathered to raise money for Indi’s operation and to support Mrs Booth who needed surgery on her hands and forearm.
Indigo – affectionately called ‘Indi’ – was seven years old when she died after three heart attacks during emergency surgery
When contacted by Daily Mail Australia in July 2023, Mr Helou – chief physiologist at his family clinic in Lugarno – declined to comment on what had happened.
According to the clinic’s website, the clinic has been operating in Sydney’s south for more than 30 years and is a “family business you can trust.”
“The clinic team is highly motivated to help the community improve their mobility, strength and overall health,” it said.
Helou is the owner and physiotherapist of a local company
Georges River Council launched an investigation into the incident in July last year.
In February the council announced charges had been laid under the Companion Animals Act 1998
Mr. Helou has been charged with two counts of owning a dog that attacks a person, two counts of owning a dog that attacks a person(s) due to reckless actions by the person responsible, two counts of leading a dog that attacks a person. person, and two counts of a dog attacking due to the recklessness of its owner.
His case is scheduled for a three-day hearing at Sutherland Local Court, to be heard on March 24, March 25 and May 6.
Two Irish wolfhounds (pictured) were seized by Georges River police and council wardens