Woman and her Jack Russell Terrier are attacked by Irish bloodhounds in Lugarno in southern Sydney

Police officer sprays vicious dogs that turned on woman when she tried to protect her pet from mauling – as she is forced to flee to the muddy riverbank

  • Woman, 34, and her Jack Russel brutally mauled by Irish Wolfhounds
  • Dog in critical condition as owner may have suffered a broken arm
  • Police have seized two dogs from a home in south Sydney

A woman and her Jack Russell Terrier were viciously attacked by two Irish Wolfhounds after they got stuck on a muddy riverbank in southern Sydney.

The 34-year-old woman was rushed to St George Hospital in the south of the city after suffering injuries to her face, neck, arms, hands and legs in the savage attack on Boggy Well Creek near 9am on Sunday. Booyong Avenue, Lugarno.

Police said the woman took refuge in the Georges River to escape the two large dogs after they attacked her pet before turning on her when she tried to intervene.

The woman (pictured), 34, was rushed to St George Hospital in the south of the city after sustaining injuries to her face, neck, arms, hands and legs in the savage attack on Boggy Well Creek near Booyong Avenue, Lugarno, Sunday at 9 a.m. . She had taken refuge in the Georges River to escape two large dogs before getting stuck in the mud

The victim's Jack Russel Terrier was seriously injured in the mauling and is in critical condition at a local vet

The victim’s Jack Russel Terrier was seriously injured in the mauling and is in critical condition at a local vet

Officers were forced to spray pepper spray on the animals when they continued to be aggressive and rescue crews were briefly trapped in the mud as they tried to pull the woman to safety.

NSW Superintendent of Police Paul Callaghan said the local woman may have broken her arm and may require hand surgery, while her dog is in critical condition at an animal hospital.

“It’s an absolutely terrifying circumstance for a lady alone with her little dog,” Superintendent Callaghan said. 7News.

“She has put her own safety aside for the love of her own dog, like many, I’m sure a great many people would,” he added.

Two dogs were seized by Georges River police and park rangers from a nearby home (pictured).  The investigation is ongoing

Two dogs were seized by Georges River police and park rangers from a nearby home (pictured). The investigation is ongoing

NSW Police Superintendent Paul Callaghan said the local woman (pictured, right) may have broken her arm and may need hand surgery, while her dog, a Jack Russell Terrier, is in critical condition at an animal hospital

NSW Police Superintendent Paul Callaghan said the local woman (pictured, right) may have broken her arm and may need hand surgery, while her dog, a Jack Russell Terrier, is in critical condition at an animal hospital

A bystander who witnessed the horrific incident through binoculars from the other bank immediately called triple-0.

The victim’s Jack Russel was taken by a friend to a nearby vet, where he is in critical condition.

The woman reportedly asked to be driven to the vet on the way to the hospital in case her dog died.

Two dogs were seized by Georges River police and park rangers from a nearby home. Investigations are underway.

Officers had to spray pepper spray on the animals when they continued to be aggressive and rescue crews were briefly trapped in the mud as they tried to pull the woman to safety

Officers had to spray pepper spray on the animals when they continued to be aggressive and rescue crews were briefly trapped in the mud as they tried to pull the woman to safety

A NSW Police spokesman said: ‘Police were told the two large dogs attacked the woman’s dog and then attacked her when she tried to protect her dog.

Officers tried to help the woman and subdue the dogs, who continued to be aggressive. OC spray was deployed, after which both dogs left the site.

“The woman was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to St George Hospital in a serious but stable condition.”