A Utah woman has died one week after she was mauled by seven pit bulls in her own backyard.
The 63-year-old woman, who has not been identified, died after the pack of dogs – a male, a female and their five puppies – caused critical injuries to her face, hands and leg.
The pit bulls belonged to the woman’s 38-year-old son, officials said.
Officers from the Taylorsville Police Department were called to the woman’s home on 31 October where they found the pack of dogs on top of the victim in her backyard.
Responders were forced to use pepper spray on the dogs to push them back and rescue the woman.
She was rushed to hospital, where doctors amputated her leg in a bid to try to save her.
Despite their efforts, the dogs had caused such significant injuries that she died on Monday.
Her death is now under investigation.
Officials added that police and animal control officers were able to contain the dogs in the backyard and confine them. However, the female dog was shot dead by an officer after she broke loose.
Police confirmed that the remaining six dogs have since been euthanised after their owner “surrendered” them to West Valley City Animal Services.
None of the dogs were licensed even though Taylorsville law states that all pet animals “must be licensed every year”.
Residents of the city are also not allowed to have more than two dogs or cats per household and a total of four household animals per residence.
A Utah woman has died a week after being mauled by seven pit bulls in her own backyard— (iStock)
The police department said in a statement: “We are saddened to confirm the passing of a Taylorsville resident following a dog attack in the backyard of her home a week ago.
“The victim of the attack suffered critical injuries to her face, hands and legs, including one that required amputation.
“She died at the hospital on Monday as a result of those injuries, her family confirmed today with police.
“The 63-year-old woman was attacked on October 31 by two adult dogs and their puppies in the fenced backyard of her home.”
Her death comes after an 11-year-old boy was rushed to hospital in Georgia when a pack of three pit bulls dragged him into a ditch and viciously ripped half of his ear and 80 per cent of his scalp back in January.
The 11-year-old has undergone five surgeries.
Meanwhile, back in 2019, a 44-year-old Massachusetts woman was mauled to death by her family’s dog while she was having a seizure.
