EXCLUSIVE
A physiotherapist has been charged after his dogs allegedly fatally wounded a Jack Russell and injured her owner. The pair were forced to hide from the wild animals in a muddy creek while he fled the scene.
Eleanor Booth, 35, was walking her dog Indigo – affectionately known as ‘Indi’ – through Boggy Well Creek, near Lugarno in Sydney’s south, at around 9am on Sunday, July 9 last year when they were reportedly attacked by two Irish wolfhounds.
The pair fled into the swamp, where they spent about half an hour fighting off the aggressive dogs before being rescued by police using pepper spray.
Indi suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a veterinary clinic, but sadly passed away the following day during emergency surgery. Mrs Booth was also hospitalised with injuries to her face, neck, arms, hands and legs.
Following a seven-month investigation by the George River Council, George Helou, 55, was arrested in February and charged with eight offences.
Shortly after the incident, Helou reportedly told police that he was looking after the two Irish wolfhounds.
However, according to court documents obtained by Daily Mail Australia, police allege he owned the two dogs and was walking the dogs without a leash when they came across Ms Booth and Indi.
Police allege the loose dogs harassed, chased and attacked Indi before turning on Mrs Booth as she intervened and desperately tried to save Indi’s life.
Ms. Booth is escorted out of the muddy creek by officers on July 9, 2023
George Helou (pictured) has been charged after his two Irish Wolfhounds allegedly assaulted a Jack Russell and a woman, killing the small dog
Helou was reportedly not carrying a dog leash at the time and subsequently ran away, leaving Mrs. Booth and Indi stuck in the creek and reportedly attacked by his dogs.
“The suspect was reckless because his two dogs were large and not being held in public, with no apparent means available to restrain them,” police allege in court documents.
‘When the suspect encountered Indigo and her owner, he failed to properly control his two dogs and then left the area. He left his dogs behind, while they were acting aggressively toward Indigo and her owner.’
Shortly after Ms Booth and Indi were rescued by police, the two dogs were seized from Helou’s home in Peakhurst Heights by council workers and later put down.
Meanwhile, the incident captured the hearts of Australians, who took action to raise money 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 during emergency surgery
When approached by Daily Mail Australia in July 2023, Helou, chief physiologist at his family’s clinic in Lugarno, declined to comment on what had happened.
According to the clinic’s website, the clinic has been operating in Sydney’s south for over 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 entrepreneur and physiotherapist
Georges River City Council launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in July last year.
In February, the council released a statement announcing that an individual had been charged with breaches of the Companion Animals Act 1998.
“On Monday, February 5, 2024, the Georges River City Council commenced proceedings in the Local Court,” the statement said.
‘As this matter is now before the court, the council cannot comment further.’
Helou has been charged with two counts of owning a dog that attacks a person, two counts of attacking a dog on a person, etc. due to a reckless act of the person responsible, two counts of owning a dog that attacks a person, and two counts of attacking a dog on a person due to the reckless act of the owner.
His case will be heard again in Sutherland District Court on July 18.
Two Irish wolfhounds (pictured) were seized by police and Georges River Council rangers from Helou’s Peakhurst Heights home and later put down
