A 61-year-old woman suffered severe injuries after being attacked by a pit bull while walking in her Riverside County neighborhood Monday evening, officials said.
The attack occurred around 6:45 p.m. on the 25000 block of Minorca Street in the unincorporated Riverside County area of Valle Vista just east of Hemet.
According to a witness, the woman was walking alone when the animal broke loose from its tether, escaped its yard and attacked her.
Good Samaritans heard the woman screaming for help and chased the dog, most likely saving the woman’s life, according to John Welsh of Riverside Co. Animal Services.
The victim suffered injuries to her head, arms and stomach, according to a Riverside County sheriff’s deputy who was first on scene.
This was not the first time the 1-year-old male pit bull attempted an attack. In July, the dog’s owner was cited by the Riverside Co. Sheriff’s Department after the dog changed a young girl on a bike down the street.
The owner complied and purchased a harness to restrain the dog in the yard after the July incident, however the dog broke the chain Monday, hopped over the 4-foot backyard fence and rushed toward the 61-year-old victim.
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The dog’s owner had taken in the stray dog several months ago. According to Welsh, the dog’s owner is devastated over what happened. The owner surrendered his pet for euthanasia, which took place Tuesday morning.
