A woman in Southern California was fatally injured following an attack by a group of stray dogs, authorities reported.
The victim, 51-year-old Theodora Mendoza, was taken to the hospital with severe facial injuries and succumbed to her wounds on Thursday. This incident involved over a dozen dogs, according to a report.
A second woman also suffered injuries during the terrifying event that occurred around 5pm near Perris Hill Park in San Bernardino.
When police arrived at the scene, they found the two victims approximately 30 yards apart. One stray dog, reported to be a Pitbull, charged at the officers, who then shot the animal.
“While the officer was tending to the woman, two dogs came from the brush. He fired two shots to protect himself and the woman he was assisting,” said police spokesperson Araselli Mata.
Sgt. Chris Gray from the San Bernardino Police Department added, “There were a lot of dogs, so it was somewhat chaotic initially.”
Footage from a news report showed the scene marked by crime tape and discarded clothing, illustrating the severity of the incident.
Neighbors mentioned that many homeless individuals in the area often keep dogs for protection.
Mendoza’s son, Alex Rozano, 21, shared that his mother frequently stayed in the nearby homeless camps and had been homeless for over a year. He noted that he hadn’t been in touch with her for a while.
“I found out when my grandpa called from Texas and told me she had been attacked by a pit bull,” he recalled.
Authorities reported that animal services had taken 14 dogs from the park following the incident.
In recent years, California has experienced a significant number of dog bite claims, totaling 2,104 in 2023, according to research data.
The state also topped the list in terms of average dog bite-related costs, which stand at $78,818.
