EXCLUSIVE
A woman who hid in a swamp to avoid a dog attack that killed her Jack Russell terrier is now suing the physical therapist who allegedly owned the animals.
Eleanor Booth, 35, was walking her dog Indigo (‘Indi’ for short) along Boggy Well Creek in Lugarno, south of Sydney, about 9am on July 9 last year when they were allegedly attacked by two Irish wolfhounds.
The couple ran towards the wetlands, where they spent about half an hour trying to fend 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 next day while undergoing emergency surgery. Booth was also hospitalized for injuries to her face, neck, arms, hands and legs.
Following a seven-month investigation by George River Council, the dog’s alleged owner, George Helou, 55, was charged in February with eight offences. He has pleaded not guilty and the matter is scheduled for hearing in March next year.
Now Daily Mail Australia can reveal Ms Booth has launched civil action against Mr Helou in the New South Wales District Court under a public liability claim.
She is seeking compensation for the injuries she allegedly suffered, alleging that Helou was negligent in failing to take reasonable precautions to prevent the incident from occurring.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Booth and Helou’s legal representatives for comment.
Elle Booth is photographed 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 a woman, killing the little dog.
Shortly after the July 2023 incident, 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 rampaging dogs harassed, chased and then attacked Indi before turning on Mrs Booth when 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 became trapped in the creek and were allegedly attacked by their dogs.
“The defendant was reckless because his two dogs are large dogs that were unrestrained in a public place with no apparent means of restraint available,” police allege in court documents.
“Upon encountering Indigo and her owner, the defendant failed to take proper control of their two dogs and then left the area leaving their dogs behind as they acted aggressively towards Indigo and her owner.”
Shortly after police rescued Ms Booth and Indi, council workers at Helou’s home in Peakhurst Heights seized the two dogs and put them down.
Meanwhile, many who heard the story rallied to raise funds for Indi’s surgery and to support Mrs Booth, who required surgery on her hands and forearms.
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, Helou, senior physiologist at his family clinic in Lugarno, declined to comment on what happened.
According to the clinic’s website, it has been operating in South Sydney 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 reads.
Helou is a local business owner and physical therapist.
Georges River Council launched an investigation into the incident in July last year.
In February, the council announced that 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 dog attacking a person due to a reckless act of the person in charge, two counts of being in charge of a dog attacking a person, and two counts of attacking a dog due to the owners’ recklessness.
His matter is scheduled for a three-day hearing at Sutherland Local Court to be heard on March 24-25 and May 6.
Police and Georges River Council gamekeepers confiscated two Irish wolfhounds (pictured)