Teenager arrested over alleged attempted sexual assault after dogs defend owners

A boy has been arrested in the search for a male chased off by dogs during an alleged attempted sexual assault in Melbourne.

The hooded figure jumped from a bush and tried to assault two women walking their dogs along Gardiners Creek in Kooyong about 11.30am on July 14.

The attacker put his arms around one of the dogwalkers but was pushed away before he allegedly tried to grab the other woman, who also escaped.

The 67-year-old woman from Toorak and 39-year-old woman from Glen Iris set their eight dogs loose on the offender, who then fled into a nearby tunnel below the Monash Fwy.

The women escaped uninjured, as did the male, though one of the dogs did manage to tear away a piece of his clothing.

The victims filmed the male as he fled, giving detectives footage to assist with the manhunt, along with a composite image based on the women’s descriptions of the offender.

Police said a number of community members also came forward with helpful information.

The area where the attack took place is popular among dog walkers, and has been the site for several similar incidents.

“It’s the third incident here over a number of years,” one local told 7NEWS at the time.

Detectives arrived at a 13-year-old Boroondara teen’s home after a five-week investigation into the Kooyong ambush.

“The boy was taken from his home to a police station and interviewed by detectives,” Victoria Police said.

No charges were laid, and the teen has now been released from custody, pending further investigations.

Police are looking into whether similar attacks in the area may be linked to the suspect.

Bayside Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Wise thanked the public for their assistance.