Dog walker tells of terror as she was savaged by her own pet
A PROFESSIONAL dog walker has spoken for the first time about the moment she suffered serious injuries when she was attacked by her own pet.
Zoologist Emma Taylor said she had broken up a fight between American bulldog Maya and another animal in a secluded wood when the horror unfolded.
The 29-year-old mother of one screamed for help but there was no one nearby and she had to play dead while dialling 999 for help.
Police managed to wrestle Maya away and Miss Taylor, of Dumbarton, was admitted to Glasgow Royal Infirmary where doctors feared she could lose mobility in both arms and even lose her right arm.
She has now taken to social media to confirm plastic surgeons worked on both arms and stabilised her condition over the past nine days.
Miss Taylor, who runs dog walking service School of Walk, said one of the other dogs she had been walking got into an ‘altercation’ with Maya when the bulldog turned on its owner.
A post from Miss Taylor said: ‘On Easter Monday I was walking five dogs in Dalmuir.
‘There was an altercation between a client’s dog and my dog Maya (who we adopted a year ago). On correcting the altercation between the two dogs, Maya turned on me and attacked me.
‘She caused severe damage to both of my arms, in particular the right arm. I managed to contact the police and ambulance service, who attended the scene. They immobilised Maya, rounded up the other dogs and escorted me safely to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
‘The plastic surgeons have worked on my arms and stabilised my medical condition over the last nine days. I’m in high dependency, getting all the best treatment I could possibly ask for.’
She added: ‘I’m sad to say that Maya has been euthanised – she was a much loved family member.
‘I would like to reassure everyone that, given time and space, I’ll get through this and recover with the help from my loved ones.’
A wellwisher said: ‘They restored blood flow to her right arm. She’s missing muscles in her back but we don’t know what will happen.
‘She’s been able to keep her arms but it is the mobility aspect they will be working on. It’s a long road ahead.’
The animal behaviourist, who helped Edinburgh Zoo with its giant panda conservation project, has a toddler son with partner Steven Burton.
After the attack, a post on the School of Walk Facebook page said she will be ‘taking a break for the foreseeable future’.
It states: ‘Unfortunately, Emma was attacked by a dog and is now recovering in hospital. It has been a difficult time for her family.
‘As you know, Emma is very experienced in handling dogs and has many qualifications supporting her knowledge.’
It adds: ‘Accidents can happen to anyone, no matter how experienced you are, and she is devastated to be putting her services on hold.’