Dog walker savaged by own pet may lose use of both arms
Mum could lose arm after horror attack
DOG walker and animal behaviour expert Emma Taylor, 29, suffers horrific injuries after she is savaged by an American bulldog she recently adopted.
A PROFESSIONAL dog walker has been told she could lose the use of both arms after she was savagely mauled by her own pet.
Emma Taylor, 29, was walking in secluded woodland when American bulldog Maya turned on her.
The mum of one screamed for help but there was no one around. She then managed to dial 999 while “playing dead”.
A close friend revealed yesterday that police who came to Emma’s rescue had to use shields to wrestle the dog away from her and bundle it into the back of a van.
The trained zoologist and animal behaviourist, who helped Edinburgh Zoo with their giant panda project, was rushed into emergency surgery at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Her partner Steven Burton is said to be distraught. The couple have a toddler son and live in Dumbarton.
The horrific attack took place just after 12.30pm on Easter Monday as Emma walked a group of dogs by the canal near Beardmore Street in Clydebank.
Friends said Maya, who was adopted by the experienced pet owner just six weeks ago, was on a lead when she turned on Emma.
A source close to the family said: “The dog was going to kill Emma – if it was a child, they would have been dead.
“Maya seemed to be going in for the kill. Emma lay on the ground and played dead and managed to reach for her phone with her left hand to call for help.
“She is an animal behaviourist, she
knows about dogs. Maya had been spayed about two weeks before and her behaviour just changed.
“They never had any problems with her before.
“Emma took her in as she fosters dogs, but Maya got on really well with their other dog, Caspar, and so they decided to keep her. “Maya was always so docile before.” Emma, who runs dog-walking service School of Walk, was initially treated in intensive care but has now been moved into a high dependency unit.
Doctors fear she could lose mobility in both arms and even lose her right arm completely.
A source added: “Surgeons have had to operate on her right arm.
“Doctors have said she is going to lose some of the function in her left arm as well.
“She must have been trying to fight Maya off.
“Obviously they are devastated, because they loved Maya.
“Emma and Steven have been together for years. They’ve got a house and a mortgage and a lot of responsibilities.
“We are waiting to hear what the prognosis will be.
“Emma is such a lovely woman, she’s like a tiny ball of energy. So many people love her.”
Steven confirmed the attack had happened but added: “At the moment I don’t want to speak to anybody about it.”
A police spokesman said: “Inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding an attack on a woman by her dog at about 12.35pm on Monday, April 2.
“The woman was taken by ambulance to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where she is being treated for serious injuries to her arm.”
Friends said the dog had been put down after the attack but police refused to confirm that.
A fundraising page has been started to help pay for Emma’s rehabilitation and to cover bills while she recovers.
The friend who set up the appeal wrote: “She’s honestly the most lovely person I have ever met and this is the only thing I can do to help.”
To donate, go to www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ emmathesaint.