Phoenix woman dies after being attacked by daughter's pit bull

ARIZONA -- A Phoenix man said his wife's heart condition likely contributed to her death after she was attacked by a family member's pit bull on Friday night.

Nancy Newberry, 77, was bitten while feeding her daughter's dogs.

Dick Newberry said the pit bull suddenly attacked.

"I didn't know if (the dog) was going after her or the food," Newberry said.

His daughter pulled the dog off his wife, but she already had wounds in her stomach, Newberry said. She later died at the hospital, where she was taken with life-threatening injuries.

Nancy Newberry suffered a heart attack a few years ago, was on blood-thinning medication and had problems with clotting, her husband said.

"Her heart just couldn't take it," Newberry said. "She was in no condition to get bit like that by a dog."

Newberry said the dog had "always been a little aggressive" and had "nipped" a couple of his daughter's friends.

Sgt. Steve Martos, spokesman for the Phoenix Police Department, said authorities are still investigating whether Nancy Newberry died because of the attack or because of a separate medical condition.

Martos said the Police Department wouldn't give any more details and that it would be up to the medical examiner to determine the cause of death.

The family surrendered the pit bull to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control and requested that it be euthanized.

The animal was later put down, according to animal-control officials.

Newberry said his wife of 57 years was a friendly, outgoing woman who loved to dance.

(AZ Central - Mar 16, 2014)