FLORIDA -- A Lake Wales woman was bitten repeatedly Monday morning when she was attacked by two pit bulls while walking her two miniature dachshunds, the Lake Wales Police Department said.
Investigators said the attack occurred after one of her two dogs ran toward her house, chased by a pit bull. The other dog stayed at her side and was bitten by a pit bull. Little bent down and picked up her dog to protect it, and the pit bull went after her arm, investigators said.
Little was knocked down, and the pit bull attacked her, biting her arms, legs, ankles and back, police said. Her right leg had 15 to 20 puncture wounds, said her husband, Charles Little.
Ashley David said she was driving by when she saw the attack. She parked her car and ran to help Little.
David waved her arms at the dog and yelled at it, but the pit bull didn't stop its attack. David then started hitting the dog with her fists, punching the animal for what she estimated was 20 to 30 seconds before the pit bull backed off.
"I just hope someone would do that for me," David said. "I didn't think about it. I just kept trying to help her."
Little, 46, was taken by helicopter to Lakeland Regional Hospital. She suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Her dogs weren't injured.
Police said they don't know how the pit bulls got out of the owner's yard.
Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control took the two pit bulls. Animal control cited the dog owner, but no criminal charges will be filed.
Charles Little said his wife is a piano teacher and performer. Doctors told him she might have some numbness on her right hand. He's hoping that it isn't permanent and she can continue her career.
He said he's grateful that the attack wasn't worse and that his wife was helped.
"We were so grateful the dog didn't get to her neck or her face," Charles Little said.
(Tampa Bay Online - April 19, 2011)
