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 – by Boggy Well Creek at Lugarno, south Sydney, at about 9am on July 9 last year when they were allegedly set upon by two Irish Wolfhounds.
The pair ran into wetlands, where they spent around half an hour trying to fight off the ferocious attack until they were rescued by police armed with pepper spray.
Indi suffered critical injuries and was rushed to a veterinary clinic, but died the following day while undergoing emergency surgery. Ms Booth was also hospitalised for injuries to her face, neck, arms, hands and legs.
Following a seven-month investigation by George River Council, the alleged dog owner George Helou, 55, was charged in February with eight offences. He has pleaded not guilty and the matter is listed for hearing in March next year.
Now, Daily Mail Australia can reveal Ms Booth has launched civil action against Mr Helou in the NSW District Court under a public liability claim.
She is seeking damages for the injuries she allegedly suffered, claiming Helou was negligent by failing to take reasonable care to prevent the incident from happening.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Booth and Mr Helou’s legal representatives for comment.
Elle Booth is pictured being 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 woman – killing the little dog
Shortly after the July 2023 incident, Mr Helou allegedly told police he was ‘pet-sitting’ the two Irish wolfhounds.
However, according to court documents obtained by Daily Mail Australia, police will allege he was the owner of the two dogs and was walking them off-leash when they encountered Ms Booth and Indi.
Police will allege the unrestrained dogs harassed, chased, then attacked Indi before turning on Ms Booth as she intervened to try to save her pet.
Mr Helou allegedly did not have dog leads with him at the time and then ran from the scene while Ms Booth and Indi were trapped in the creek allegedly being attacked by his dogs.
‘The defendant was reckless in that his two dogs are large dogs that were not restrained in a public place and with no apparent means of restraint available,’ police allege in the court documents.
‘Upon encountering Indigo and her owner, the defendant failed to take proper control of his two dogs and then left the area leaving his dogs behind whilst they were acting aggressively towards Indigo and her owner.’
Shortly after Ms Booth and Indi were rescued by police, the two dogs were seized by by council workers at Helou’s Peakhurst Heights home and put down.
Meanwhile, many who heard the story rallied to raise funds for Indi’s surgery and to support Ms Booth who required surgery on her hands and forearm.
Indigo – affectionately known as ‘Indi’ – was seven years old when she died after suffering three heart attacks while undergoing emergency surgery
When approached by Daily Mail Australia in July 2023, Mr Helou – who is the lead physiologist at his family-owned clinic in Lugarno – refused to comment about what happened.
According to the clinic’s website, it has been operating in south Sydney for more than 30 years and is a ‘family-owned business you can trust’.
‘The team at the clinic are highly motivated in helping the community in improving their mobility, strength and overall health,’ it reads.
Helou is a local business owner and physiotherapist
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 being the owner of a dog which attacks a person, two counts of dog attacking a person/s due to reckless act by person in charge, two counts of being in charge of a dog which attacks a person, and two counts of a dog attacking due to owners’ recklessness.
His matter is listed for a three-day hearing before Sutherland Local Court to be heard on March 24, March 25, and May 6.
Two Irish wolfhounds (pictured) were seized by police and Georges River council rangers
