Man retells how playing dead saved his life in horrific dog attack
A man who was severely mauled by two dogs, resulting in the amputation of his right arm, says he feels no ill will towards the dogs or their owner.
43-year-old mechanic Brendan ‘Bear’ Clark was working on a Coonamble property on June 21 when he was set upon by the owner’s two huge hunting dogs.
He says the dogs attacked him for up to an hour and a half, seriously injuring his arms, face and shoulders.
Brendan was rushed to hospital where he has undergone multiple surgeries, including the amputation of his right arm.
Both dogs have since been put down.
Brendan describes the terrifying moment he was set upon by the dogs, telling Ben Fordham how he was forced to play dead in an attempt to save his own life.
Click PLAY below to hear the full story
Now, their owner, Deputy Mayor of Coonamble Paul Wheelhouse, has been arrested and charged with four offences, including failing to meet the requirements for owning menacing dogs.
Brendan spoke to Ben from his hospital bed, where he found out during the interview that Mr Wheelhouse had been arrested.
His reaction surprised everyone.
“That’s a shocker. I didn’t actually know he’d been arrested. I don’t know what to say to that.
“I feel a lot of sympathy for him now. When he came to see me last weekend you could see how gutted he was and how upset he was over the whole situation.”
Although Brendan is incredibly forgiving towards both the dogs and their owner, he says he’s slowing having to come to terms with how the attack will affect him for the rest of his life.
“Every second of every day I’m learning just what an uphill battle I’m facing.”
A GoFundMe page has been started to help Brendan – you can donate to it HERE