A koala attack in South Australia left one woman, who was walking her dogs at the time, bitten and bloodied.

Mary Anne Forster took her two dogs for a walk two weeks ago and when they pulled her toward a koala at the base of a tree, 7News Adelaide reported Wednesday. The koala launched into an attack on the dogs, but Forster got caught in the middle.

“Obviously the koala felt very threatened because it attached itself with its mouth, jaws, to my leg and bit very hard, bit very deeply,” she told 7News.

The koala latched on to Forster's leg and would not let go, causing a bite that required 12 stitches. In a desperate attempt to get the animal off her leg, she put her fingers in its mouth to get it to release its jaw. It finally released its grip and she stumbled 2km home before being admitted to hospital.

The wound on Forster's leg. Image: 7News Adelaide

Although koalas and dogs have a history of fighting, with 110 koalas killed each year by dog attacks, it is rare for a humans to be involved.

"It should also be remembered that koalas are capable of defending themselves. They have sharp teeth and claws capable of causing deep wounds and any dog that attacks a koala may risk serious injury," the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection states on its website.