A Queensland mum whose arm was ripped off by her own dog has shared the harrowing moment she thought she would die alone.
Annmarie Walters was set upon by her faithful friend Buddy on October 11 after she claimed the sound of someone bashing on her front door triggered the canine.
“He lunged through the air and I had enough time to spin around and grab him when he caught my left arm,” the 34-year-old said.
READ MORE: Surgeon removes tumour as heavy as a bag of sugar from man
Walters tried to remain calm as the mixed breed ridgeback attacked her at her Garbutt home in the state’s Townsville region.
In an attempt to de-escalate the attack, a neighbour tried to throw her a knife to protect herself however Walters said the dog “went into a frenzy” and latched on to her other arm.
“He pulled back three times and off goes the arm,” she told 9News.
READ MORE: School community grieving after 11-year-old Jack Davey killed in tragic crash
“I was a little bit relieved once that came off because there was less pain.”
The 34-year-old, who lost litres of blood during the attack, was rushed to Townsville University Hospital for emergency surgery.
“I thought this is going to be great, I’m going to die alone,” she said.
“They actually told me that I actually died twice during the operation.”
Back at her home, the dog was shot dead by police, just weeks after the animal had mauled a neighbour in a separate incident.
“It’s traumatic obviously, in the fact that I’ve lost my dog and I’ve lost my arm,” she said.
“I knew he was capable but I didn’t know he was going to do that obviously.
“I didn’t think he’d do such damage.”
Walters has been left with a permanent disability but she maintains it wasn’t the dog’s fault.
“All dogs are capable of causing severe injury to humans,” she said.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, celebrity and sport via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
links to content on ABC
9News
