Police officer required surgery after alleged dog attack, Elana Maples charged

A Mooroopna woman’s dog bit a police officer on the arm during an attempted arrest which caused puncture wounds and required surgery.

A police officer required surgery after they were bitten by an American Stafford Cross during an arrest in Mooroopna. Picture: Supplied

A police officer required surgery after she was bitten on the arm by a dog during a Mooroopna arrest.

A raft of charges, including being in control of a dog that attacked and caused serious injury, were laid against Elana Maples after she allegedly took a metal pole to a parked car in February 2024.

Officers attended the scene and as Ms Maples was arrested she asked to tie up her dogs which were in a room of an abandoned building where she was living.

It allegedly turned into a struggle as the 48-year-old tried to keep the officers out of the room she was using.

Police forced themselves into the room and as one of them grabbed Ms Maples, her large American Stafford Cross latched onto the officer’s arm and began to shake.

Elana Maples appeared in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to be bailed to be assessed for Court Integrated Services Program.

The dog had to be pepper sprayed to release its grip and the officer required surgery for the 11 puncture wounds.

Ms Maples then remained in her room and negotiations allegedly went on for several hours before she was able to be taken to the police station.

In the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court last week, defence lawyer John McNamara said Ms Maples did not intend for her dog to bite the officer and was “deeply remorseful” a person had been injured.

“It was not something the dogs were trained to do or something she wanted,” he said.

“She tried to get the dog off before it was sprayed.”

Ms Maples was also charged after she allegedly took a metal pole to the Mooroopna Woolworths carpark in March this year.

She was also charged with failing to appear in line with her bail requirements.

Magistrate Olivia Trumble said carrying a metal pole through a supermarket car park was “intimidating” for people and put members of the public in fear.
“It speaks of someone who is not particularly well mentally,” she said.

Ms Trumble, as she bailed the 48-year-old to be assessed for Court Integrated Services Program, said it would be remiss of her not to allow Ms Maples to access the services available that could assist her with her mental health and housing situation.

Ms Maples will return to court in April for a deferral hearing.