The 51-year-old was walking her dog with her 17-year-old daughter along Russells Creek between Mortlake Road and Queens Road when they were set upon by two dogs, according to the victim’s father.

Two dogs, believed to be bull terriers, “came out of the bushes and circled them and went for them”, he tearfully told The Standard.

“One attacked my daughter and tore her leg open,” he said.

“They were so powerful. They were going for (my daughter’s) little Jack Russell but she held it above her head.

“My granddaughter gave one of the dogs a karate kick and that saved her. (My daughter and granddaughter) retreated to a house nearby. A lady sheltered them.”

The victim’s father did not wish to be named, but said he wanted to highlight the danger as he believed the dogs were yet to be caught.

“The public should be made aware,” he said.

“People who don’t know could walk along that path and be attacked as well.”

He said he rang the police and city rangers and was alarmed that neither had contacted The Standard to let the public know about the issue.

“It’s a route to and from school for kids,” he said.

The Standard contacted the council’s rangers and the police on Wednesday but no one knew of the incident. 

Further calls to Warrnambool police yesterday confirmed the attack, but Sergeant Jason Puschenjak said it was a council matter and that police would only get involved if “the person makes a complaint to police as well”.

A South West Healthcare spokesperson confirmed the Warrnambool Base Hospital “did get a patient come in with an alleged wound from a dog”. “She is still with us,” the spokesperson said.

The Standard was again told yesterday that the council’s rangers knew nothing of the incident.

mneal@fairfaxmedia.com.au