Police kill pit bulls that mauled 88 year-old woman in her own yard

CONNECTICUT -- An 88-year-old woman was seriously injured on Tuesday when she was attacked by her neighbor's two pit bulls.

The two pit bulls escaped from their cage, ran across into an 88 year-old woman's yard and attacked her. The dogs were so aggressive, police had to shoot them.

It all happened on Wilkenda Avenue, outside a Waterbury park where many children are known to play.

Douglas Buell is thankful he avoided that area last night, but wishes he were around to help his elderly neighbor who was attacked. She is in stable condition at the hospital.

"I have a niece and nephew that I take over there to play in the park," he said. "I felt terrible. I felt terrible."

"It's highly unusual you'd have two pit bulls this aggressive," said Waterbury Police Captain Chris Corbett. "Her injuries are very serious, very significant to both arms and legs."

Police say one of the dogs had to be shot immediately. The other one took off and headed towards the park. Felisha Ghanny didn't know how to react.

"We were walking down the street and this guy yells, 'run,' and we're looking back like why do we have to run," she recalled. "Everybody's jumping over fences, there's cars and everything and then we see the dog running down the street, there's cops with guns going down there to shoot him and they did after."

Two women who are familiar with the dogs say they were surprised by what happened.

Can you see the tub and wood blocking the inside of the
gate? The owners KNEW the dogs could and would escape

"These dogs don't seem vicious," said Carla Taggett. "I walk by the fence and they don't jump or anything."

Police say the man who owns one of the dogs is currently out of town.

"A second person who lives elsewhere was keeping his dogs there and caring for both dogs in that resident's absence," Corbett said.

Animal control has been to the home before, but police say the complaint calls certainly don't compare to Tuesday night's attack.

Police say the victim is incredibly active for her age. She will likely be in the hospital for a few more days.

The incident remains under investigation. The two dog owners could face criminal charges.

(WTNH - March 22, 2012)