EXCLUSIVE
A physiotherapist has been charged after his dogs allegedly fatally mauled a Jack Russell and injured her owner – forcing the pair to take shelter from the savage animals in a muddy creek while he fled the scene.
Eleanor Booth, 35, was walking her dog Indigo – affectionately called ‘Indi’ – through Boggy Well Creek at Lugarno in 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 vicious dogs until they were rescued by police armed with pepper spray.
Indi suffered critical 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 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 in a desperate attempt to save her pet’s life.
Ms Booth is pictured being escorted out of the muddy creek by officers on 9 July, 2023
George Helou (pictured) has been charged after his two Irish Wolfhounds allegedly mauled a Jack Russell and woman – killing the little dog
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 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 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, 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 circumstances surrounding the incident in July last year.
In February, the council released a statement announcing an individual had been charged with offences under the Companion Animals Act 1998.
‘On Monday 5 February 2024, Georges River Council commenced proceedings in the Local Court,’ the statement reads.
‘As this matter is now before the Local Court, council is not in a position to make further comment.’
Helou has been charged with two counts of owner of dog which attacks person, two counts of dog attacks person etc due to in charge’s reckless act, two counts of in charge of dog which attacks person, and two counts of dog attacks person due to owners’ recklessness.
His matter is next due before Sutherland Local Court on July 18.
Two Irish wolfhounds (pictured) were seized by police and Georges River council rangers from the Helou’s Peakhurst Heights home and later put down