Australia: Two girls, aged nine and 16, among four people injured while trying to save a woman viciously attacked by two dogs

AUSTRALIA -- Two young girls are among four people who were injured while attempting to save a woman from a savage dog attack in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales.

A 40-year-old woman was out walking her dog in Metford, north of Newcastle when two loose Bull Mastiffs set upon her and caused 'significant injury' to her nose.

  

Donald McInnes, 38, and his two daughters aged nine and 16, rushed to the woman's aid but were also attacked by the dogs, 7 News reported.

'There was a Staffie [pit bull] being held down by one of the dogs, a woman screaming,' Mr McInnes said.

'The woman's nostril was torn open and her lip was all busted up.'

A 24-year-old man who lived nearby then tried to help but was also bitten by the large dogs.

When police arrived an officer fired his gun at one of the dogs which scared them away, a witness said.

Mr McInnes suffered a large laceration to his hand which needed to be stitched up, while the other man was also bitten on one of his limbs.

The two girls were lucky to escape with only minor abrasions.

 

All five victims were taken to hospital in Maitland to receive treatment.

The dogs were captured in a nearby park and are currently being held by Maitland City Council, but it remains unclear if they will be put down.

(Daily Mail - March 7, 2017)