SYDNEY, Australia — A 65-year-old woman was attacked by a large kangaroo on a farm in Australia and was lucky to be alive after a pet dog leapt to her aid, her son said Saturday.
The 6-foot-5-inch kangaroo lunged without warning at Rosemary Neal as she checked on some horses in a paddock Friday on the property 160 miles northwest of Sydney, said son Darren Neal. His mother suffered deep cuts and a concussion.
The kangaroo “just jumped up and launched straight at her,” Darren Neal said. “He hit her once, and she just dropped and rolled. My dog heard her screaming and bolted down and chased him off. If it wasn’t for the dog, she’d probably be dead.”
Attacks on humans are extremely rare.
Darren Neal said mobs of kangaroos had become common on their farm and his mother thought nothing of walking through them. Usually, they just jump away. The Associated Press
