Dog Walker Accused Of Stealing Clients Attacked In Wayland

FRAMINGHAM (CBS) - Bruises and cuts on her face, scratches on her neck from a choke hold only begin to tell the story of Noreen Carson's alleged encounter with a fellow dog walker.

"She was punching me and clawing me and had me in a choke hold. I kept saying I can't breathe, I can't breathe," Carson said.

Carson is accused of stealing dog walking clients by 23-year-old Maria Podolskaya, who faced assault charges in Framingham District Court. "I had a dog she used to walk and she got mad at that," said Carson.

The women walked frequently in Loker Conservation Area in Wayland, working for the Wags 4 Walks dog walking company, until Noreen Carson broke her ankle a year ago and has been recovering. "She was kicking my ankle saying you're not going to walk any more dogs now," Carson said.

Carson is back on her feet and walking dogs for the first time this week. She says long-time customers have asked her take their dogs again, some dogs that Podolskaya claims she used to walk. In fact, police say the accused attacker had ten dogs at Loker Conservation Area yesterday when she encountered Carson. They all ran into the woods and had to be captured.

Podolskaya refused to answer questions outside court but an unidentified relative said in her defense, "The kid was attacked, the lady wasn't honest, and that's all."

Noreen Carson says she was so viciously attacked there's no way she could have fought back. All because she says she was back doing something she loves. "I do this because I love dogs, I love animals."

Maria Podolskaya has been ordered to stay away from the park and from Carson. Far from stealing Carson says she's reuniting with old friends.

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