EXCLUSIVE
A physiotherapist has been charged after his dogs allegedly fatally attacked a Jack Russell and injured its owner, forcing the couple to take shelter from the wild animals in a muddy stream while he fled the scene.
Eleanor Booth, 35, was walking her dog Indigo, affectionately called ‘Indi’, along Boggy Well Creek in Lugarno, south of Sydney, at around 9am on July 9 last year when they were allegedly attacked by two Irish wolfhounds.
The couple ran into some wetlands, where they spent about half an hour trying to fight off the ferocious dogs until they were rescued by police armed with pepper spray.
Indi suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a veterinary clinic, but sadly 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, George Helou, 55, was arrested in February and charged with eight offences.
Shortly after the incident, Helou allegedly told police she was “babysitting” the two Irish wolfhounds.
However, according to court documents obtained by Daily Mail Australia, police will allege that he was the owner of the two dogs and was walking them off-leash when they came across Booth and Indi.
Police will allege the unrestrained dogs harassed, chased and then attacked Indi before turning on Ms Booth as she intervened in a desperate bid to save her pet’s life.
Ms. 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 attacked a Jack Russell and a woman, killing the dog.
Helou allegedly had no dog leashes with him at the time and then fled the scene while Ms Booth and Indi were trapped in the creek allegedly being attacked by his dogs.
“The defendant acted recklessly because his two dogs are large dogs that were unrestrained in a public place and without any apparent means of restraint available,” police allege in 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 as they acted aggressively towards Indigo and her owner.’
Shortly after police rescued Ms Booth and Indi, the two dogs were captured by council workers at Helou’s home in Peakhurst Heights and later put down.
Meanwhile, the incident captured the hearts of Australians, who rallied to raise funds for Indi’s surgery and help support Ms Booth, who needed 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 contacted by Daily Mail Australia in July 2023, Helou, who is the senior physiologist at the Lugarno family clinic, declined to comment on what happened.
According to the clinic’s website, it has been operating in South Sydney for over 30 years and is a “family-run business you can trust”.
“The clinic team is highly motivated to help the community improve their mobility, strength and overall health,” it reads.
Helou is a local business owner and physical therapist.
Georges River City Council launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in July last year.
In February, the council issued a statement announcing that an individual had been charged with offences under the Pet Animals Act 1998.
“On Monday 5 February 2024, Georges River City Council commenced proceedings in the Local Court,” the statement said.
“As this matter is now before the Local Court, the council is not in a position to comment further.”
Helou has been charged with two counts of owner of a dog attacking a person, two counts of dog attacking a person, etc. due to the careless act of the person in charge, two counts of being responsible for a dog attacking a person, and two counts of dog attacking a person due to the carelessness of the owners.
His case is due to be heard again at Sutherland Local Court on 18 July.
Two Irish wolfhounds (pictured) were seized from Helou’s Peakhurst Heights home by police and Georges River City Council rangers and later euthanised.