MUDGEE, Australia, July 19 (UPI) -- An Australian man said his elderly mother would "probably be dead" if his dog hadn't chased off an aggressive kangaroo that lunged at her.

Rosemary Neal, 65, was walking around a farm in the Australian state of New South Wales when a kangaroo attacked her, knocking her to the ground, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

"The kangaroo has just jumped up and launched straight at her. He hit her once and she just dropped and rolled. My dog heard her screaming and bolted down and chased him off," Neal's son Darron said. "If it wasn't for the dog she'd probably be dead."

Kangaroos are seen frequently near the city of Mudgee, but they aren't usually aggressive toward humans, Darron Neal told the newspaper.

Darron Neal said the attack left his mother with several injuries.

"Her face has been ripped apart, her hand has been mauled, and she's got scratches all over her back and concussion," he said. "Her whole body is sore where she has dropped to the ground."