A dog walker has described the terrifying moment a stranger tried to grab her and her friend at a park in Melbourne’s east.
The 39-year-old from Glen Iris and a 67-year-old woman from Toorak were on a morning stroll along the banks of Gardiners Creek in Kooyong when they noticed a man hiding in the bushes.
A dog walker has described the terrifying moment a stranger tried to grab her and her friend at a park in Melbourne’s east. 9News
“That’s when he lunged for my friend and grabbed a hold of her neck and upper shoulders,” one of the women told 9News.
“Then he started walking over to me, and talking and threatening me to get me into the tunnel, and he wanted to have sex with me.”
The women were walking with 11 dogs at the time near a reserve off Glenferrie Road.
The hero canines chased the man into a nearby tunnel under the Monash Freeway as the walkers tried to stop their minds from racing.
A man has been captured on camera running away from a pack of pet dogs after he allegedly attempted to sexually assault two women in a park. Supplied
One of them managed to tear off a piece of the man’s clothing.
“I was thinking of all the different scenarios that could happen, but I was more trying to jump into action, rather than focus on how scared I was,” the woman said.
Police have released a composite image of a man they wish to speak to about the incident.
The man is perceived to be of African appearance, wearing black tracksuit pants, white socks, slides, black and grey hooded top and was wearing a black face covering.
He was also carrying a large bright blue backpack.
The attack has shocked locals and left a sense of disquiet in the community.
Detectives have released a facial composite of a man they wish to speak to in relation to the incident. Victoria Police
“It’s just really unnerving to know that it happened in broad daylight and it happened at all, full stop, really,” one resident said.
While the dog walkers feel wary of returning to the park, they are determined not to let the attack stop them from doing their jobs.
“I’m just going to have to be a little bit more cautious,” one of the women said.
“I mean, I always have been anyway, as a female.
“I’m not going to let it stop me from coming to the park that I enjoy so much, and the dogs enjoy.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information has been asked to come forward to police.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).