A 93-year-old woman was attacked and mauled by a pit bull mixed breed in Branford on Sunday afternoon after the dog broke free from its owner’s home, police said.
Police officers and firefighters responded to Harbor Street and McKinnell Court around 2 p.m. on Sunday after receiving several 911 calls from neighbors and others who were witnessing the attack, police said.
"I need a cop really, really quick," one man who called 911 said. "There's a pit bull attacking a bunch of people. ... This dog is attacking a lot of people."
Another person reported a "pit bull biting people all over the place."
Police Officer Joseph Harrington said the animal had run from inside of the owner’s home and attacked the victim as she was walking.
On Monday, police said the dog somehow pushed the door and got out.
Several neighbors went to help the victim and began fighting the dog off with a cane and a baseball bat until the dog’s owner could subdue and cage the animal.
When police arrived, the dog's owner had captured his dog and put it in a cage.
Sergeant Richard Dahlin said the victim sustained a massive amount trauma to her lower left leg.
Paramedics from the fire department transported the woman to an area medical facility to be treated for serious injuries. The woman later underwent surgery, police said.
Animal Control Officers at the Branford quarantined the dog at the Branford animal shelter as the investigation continues.
Police said they are still investigating, but do not plan to file criminal charges at this point.
