Australia: Elderly woman attacked, her small 15-year-old dog mauled to death right in front of her by loose Pit Bull

AUSTRALIA -- A woman in her 80s was walking home with her dog Daisy, her companion of 15 years, when an American Staffordshire terrier attacked them.

The incident took place on Penrith's Stafford Street in western Sydney.

The Pit Bull came running from a property up the street after a gate was left open.

Daisy the dog was fatally injured, while its 87-year-old owner tried to intervene but was knocked to the ground.

A neighbor who was driving past saw the woman on the ground and quickly pulled over to help.

The owner of the American Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier arrived moments later to help, but there was nothing that could be done to save the smaller dog, Daisy.

Penrith City Council released a statement saying that the dog had been placed it in Hawkesbury Animal Shelter after it was surrendered by its owner.

An application for the animal to be euthanized is currently being formalized by the council.

(9NewsAU - Dec 18, 2017)