Woman, 82, mauled in dog attack
UPDATE: An 82-year-old woman suffered potentially life-threatening injuries when she was mauled by dogs this morning in Perth’s foothills.
The woman was out walking with her 81-year-old husband when the dogs attacked about 8.40am on Scott Street in Koongamia.
A St John Ambulance spokeswoman said paramedics arrived to find the Helena Valley woman “conscious and breathing but not alert”.
She said the dogs were locked in a house while the elderly victim was taken to the nearby Swan District Hospital.
The 82-year-old was then transferred to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, where she is in a serious condition with head and facial injuries.
It is understood that the woman underwent emergency surgery.
A City of Swan spokeswoman said the female dogs were unregistered American Staffordshire-Mastiff cross.
There were reports the owner was home at the time and tried to stop the attack.
Swan chief executive Mick Foley said the dogs had been impounded.
“The City’s customer advocates are gathering as much evidence and information about the incident as possible. Statements have been taken from witnesses,” he said.
“Only once this investigation is complete will a decision be made on what will happen to these dogs.”
Tougher penalties will apply for offences involving dangerous dogs under proposed new laws that were introduced to WA parliament in June.
