EDMONTON – The Edmonton Police Service is joining the effort to raise money to help a woman who was involved in a vicious dog attack on Sunday.
Police said the woman was walking her dog in an alley at 101 St. and 112 Ave. around 9 a.m. when she was attacked by at least three dogs.
READ MORE: Neighbour saves woman in life-threatening dog attack
Neighbour Joe Christensen saw the attack and tried to intervene.
“When I got a little close to the situation those dogs turned on me. I had to run,” explained Christensen. “It was a traumatizing situation.”
He was able to drive his vehicle to the woman and helped her and her dog inside until police and EMS arrived.
The 54-year-old woman is recovering in hospital following several hours of surgery, police say. She sustained serious dog bite wounds across her body. The victim has requested privacy, and asked that her name not be released.
Officers described the victim as a very sweet woman.
“The woman was gracious while in pain at that time, and they wanted to do something to try to help her,” said Edmonton Police Service spokesperson Scott Pattison.
Police add her dog, a small, Papillon type of breed, also underwent several hours of surgery after sustaining serious bite wounds and vertebrae damage.
Officers want to help cover the veterinarian costs, which are between $8,000 and $10,000.
“Already $200 has been raised from members of downtown division – they’ve pitched in to kick it off,” said Pattison. “We’ve had an anonymous donor of $1,000 already.”
The veterinarian at Guardian Veterinary Centre will be also be offering the woman a discount of some kind, added Pattison.
Police continue to investigate the incident. They have consulted with the Crown about potential charges, however no charges have been laid at this time.
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