Bee Staff Writer Updated: July 3, 2001 - 4:08 p.m.

A passing motorist and a Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputy saved the life of an Oak Park woman who was mauled early Tuesday morning by three pit bulls, officials said.

One of the animals was killed by the deputy and the other two were taken into custody, police said. The owner of the dogs is being investigated.

The 43-year-old victim, whose name was not released by police, was hospitalized in serious condition at UC Davis Medical Center, Tuesday afternoon. Police said she had severe bite wounds to her leg and stomach but is expected to survive.

(continued)

“There’s a good chance she would have died without their help,” said Sacramento police Sgt. Daniel Hahn.

The attack occurred about 4 a.m. near the intersection of 14th Avenue and 41st Street, Hahn said.

The victim was walking down the street when she was attacked by the dogs which were roaming the neighborhood without supervision.

A passing motorist saw the attack and stopped to help the woman, Hahn said.

“In my mind he’s the real hero here,” Hahn said. “He steps out of his car and takes on three pit bulls without a gun or anything. That takes a lot of courage.”

But the attack continued until Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy Alex McCamy happened by while on patrol in the area, police said. The deputy fired two or three shots, killing one dog and frightening off the other two.

Hahn said animal control officers used to tag on the dead dog to track the two animals that fled to a home six blocks away.

The resident of the home denied owning the dogs.

Hahn said the ownership of the dogs remained under investigation. It was also undecided if any criminal charges could be filed against the owner.

Copyright © The Sacramento Bee

BACK to Animal Attack Files Index

Tell a Friend about the Animal Attack Files

Animal Attack
Books

Man-Eaters

American Man-killers

Bite Busters : How to Deal With Dog Attacks

Mad Dogs : The New Rabies Plague

Search Now:

Of Wolves and Men