Advertisement No charges in horrific hunting hounds' attack on hiker, her dogs Several hounds maul woman, her Australian shepherds for 45 minutes Share Shares Copy Link Copy

No charges will be filed against bear hunters whose pack of hunting hounds attacked a hiker and her dogs, nearly killing one of her Australian shepherds, according to the Associated Press.Kadie Anderson, 29, an experienced hiker, was attacked on the opening day of bear season in the Nantahala National Forest in Graham County.The Cleveland, Ohio, resident suffered bite wounds on her hands and legs as she fought to protect her two Australian shepherds. The dogs were seriously injured but are expected to survive.Picture of one of the dog's injuries (Warning: graphic)Anderson told the Asheville Citizen-Times that she was packing up her tent on the morning of Oct. 13 when about a dozen hounds approached the camp. She said she grabbed her dogs by their collars and used a stick to try to fight off about a half dozen of the attacking hounds as she shielded her shepherds with her body for 45 minutes.The Citizen-Times reported that Anderson’s 2-year-old dog was nearly killed, and her 8-year-old dog suffered gashes to its stomach. When the six bear hunters finally reached Anderson’s campsite, they reportedly controlled the hounds, and helped Anderson pack up and get back to her car which was parked 3 miles away.Anderson rushed the shepherds to a veterinarian in Robbinsville where they were treated before she went home to Cleveland.U.S. Forest Service spokesman Stevin Westcott said no criminal charges will be filed since the incident appears to be more of a civil matter instead of a criminal case. Westcott said it appears no federal laws were broken.On the Justice for Kadie Facebook page, a post on Saturday said: “As of today (Oct. 18), the three are still hurting pretty badly from their wounds. Kadie's hands are still swollen and painful and she hasn't fully recovered the use of her thumbs. Loki, the female dog, has abdominal lacerations that need to be watched carefully. Finn, the male, is extra sensitive because he is deaf. He has been struggling with severe panic attacks from his post-traumatic stress. They are all receiving the care they need and these wounds will take time to heal.”Friends have set up a gofundme.com fund to help with medical expenses. .The Facebook page said that even though criminal charges will not be filed, there is a possibility of civil action in the future if the hunters can be identified.