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An aged care worker who was violently mauled by a dog at a Sydney home has undergone surgery to treat her significant injuries.
Lynda Watson, 51, has spent the past week in intensive care unit after she was left with potentially life-altering injuries when a French Mastiff mauled her at a Condell Park home belonging to one of her clients last Tuesday.
Her friend Peta Banks asked people to keep her in their prayers on Sunday as she underwent yet another “serious procedure” to treat her injuries.
“She has already had two procedures, a lengthy operation on the day of the attack to clean the wounds and attempt to save her arm, and faces many further procedures ahead of her, including another serious procedure today,” Ms Banks said in a post on Facebook.
“She has a very long road of rehabilitation and recovery ahead of her.”
Ms banks wrote that it had been an “extremely traumatic time” for Ms Watson after a normal day at work turned to tragedy last week.
“Lynda was attacked by the dog as she was entering her client’s home during the course of her work as an Aged Care Support Worker,” Ms Banks said.
“The dog was usually locked outside, but wasn’t on this occasion, and attacked as Lynda entered the property.”
The homeowner tried to help Lynda but was no match for the dog, which continued to tear at her chest and arms before police arrived and used a taser to subdue the dog.
Witnesses said Ms Watson could be heard screaming, and a group of tradies working on a house next door ran to her aid.
Distressing footage showed two police officers standing behind a wall while others yelled at them to “do something”.
A City of Canterbury Bankstown council spokesperson confirmed the dog was euthanised on Tuesday night after it was found it could not be rehabilitated.
“In the wake of this traumatic incident, Lynda faces not only physical pain but also the daunting prospect of many months, if not years, of healing ahead,” Ms Banks said in a post to a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds to support her medical costs.
“As she focuses on her recovery, we want to alleviate the burden of financial worries that inevitably accompany such a challenging journey.”
The fundraiser has already raised $7,245 of its $10,000 target to cover costs like rent and expenses while she is recovering in hospital.
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