An investigation will be held into the death of a Daylesford woman who fell and hit her head when her puppy was attacked by a dog earlier this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It's believed the well-known 70-year-old, who The Courier has chosen not to name, was walking her puppy along Smith Street before the unaccompanied dog rushed out of a residential gate on October 10.
While details remain unclear, Victoria Police spokeswoman Jessica Brennan said the woman fell to the ground after her puppy was set upon, seriously injuring herself about 9.30am.
“During the fight, it is believed the woman suffered a fall and sustained serious injuries,” Ms Brennan said.
Nearby residents overheard barking and rushed to help, immediately dialling triple-0 after they found the woman on the ground.
Multiple sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed an ambulance took about 45 minutes to arrive while the woman’s condition deteriorated.
An off duty nurse, who was walking past, was able to provide some care to the woman before the ambulance attended the scene.
When asked how long it took for paramedics arrive after first receiving the call, Ambulance Victoria did not directly respond.
“Paramedics assessed the woman at the scene and called for intensive care … assistance,” acting regional director Chris James said.
“An air ambulance helicopter was dispatched and the woman was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.”
A witness said the woman was taken away by road ambulance, leading some to question when the decision to call in the helicopter was made.
After arriving in Melbourne, doctors were unable to save her.
Last Thursday, more than a week after the dog attack, the woman died in hospital.
The death of the much-loved woman was announced at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Duke Street, sending shock waves through the tight-knit Daylesford community.
One resident described it as a “tragedy”.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
The Courier