A bride-to-be was left covered in blood after she and her mini dachshund were viciously mauled in an “unprovoked” attack by a bull terrier. Shaken Isabelle Payne suffered serious cuts to her legs and hands as she battled to save her little dog Lola from the jaws of death of the other dog.
Ms Payne had been walking with her fiancé Jacob Thirkettle and their dog Lola at an off-leash park on the Gold Coast, in Queensland, Australia, when another dog pounced and tried to savage Lola.
Mr Thirkettle said his partner and pet suffered serious injuries in the melee that followed, with Ms Payne left covered in cuts and Lola needing surgery on damage to her back. Luckily the pair are now on the road to recovery and Lola has been given pyjamas to keep her from scratching at her stitches.
Mr Thirkettle said if it wasn’t for the help of strangers their dog would have died in the attack that left the soon-to-be-married couple bloodied and bruised.
Mr Thirkettle told the Geelong Advertiser: “Seven weeks out from our wedding, one of the worst possible things happened to Lola our three-year-old miniature dachshund and Isabelle my fiance.
“They were both attacked unprovoked and mauled by another dog while at an off-leash dog park on the Gold Coast.”
“My fiance was very badly injured trying to extract Lola from [the dog’s] grip. Safe to say that without Isabelle’s quick thinking, Lola wouldn’t be here with us.
“We’re so grateful to the members of the community who we don’t know that came to their rescue.”
The couple has since started a GoFundMe to help raise cover Lola’s vet bills On the page, it reads: “On the 28th of June 2023 and 7 weeks out from our wedding, one of the worst possible things happened to Lola our 3-year-old miniature dachshund and Isabelle my fiance.
“They were both attacked unprovoked and mauled by another dog while at an off-leash dog park on the Gold Coast and my fiance was very badly injured trying to extract Lola from its grip.
“Safe to say that without Isabelle’s quick thinking, Lola wouldn’t be here with us today.
“We’re so grateful to the members of the community who we don’t know that came to their rescue. Lola’s operation went well but she still has a long journey ahead with her recovery and it’s early days.
“We would be deeply appreciative of any support to make Lola more comfortable in assisting with her future vet bills and most importantly her ongoing recovery.”
Yesterday in an update, the page reads: “Isabelle and Lola are getting some sun this morning and taking some time to rest finally.
“We just want to thank everyone who’s supported the GoFundMe and for all the messages we’ve both received.
“We’re honestly just so grateful to everyone and are deeply overwhelmed by the love and incredible support. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
The page has raised more than $2,500 (£1,318).
