A woman was critically injured after being attacked by a pit bull on a San Francisco street Tuesday morning. The incident occurred in the city's Tenderloin neighborhood, where the unleashed dog reportedly mauled the woman for 10 to 15 minutes.
Witnesses attempted to intervene by using pepper spray to deter the animal. San Francisco Police officers arrived and restrained the dog with a catch pole. The woman suffered extensive injuries to her hands, wrist, and knee. She was transported to San Francisco General Hospital and remains in critical condition.
The dog died at the scene. Its remains were collected by San Francisco Animal Care and Control. Some witnesses have suggested the dog died from rough handling by police, though this remains unconfirmed.
Officials have noted that dog-related incidents are a recurring issue in the Tenderloin. Supervisor Bilal Mahmood stated that similar incidents involving dogs in the streets have been a concern for families and neighbors in the area over the past year. He indicated that the city is working with the San Francisco Police Department to increase enforcement and safety measures.
San Francisco Police Department's Dangerous Dogs Unit, also known locally as 'dog court,' recently resumed hearings after a 10-month hiatus due to funding issues. This unit was established in response to a previous fatal mauling incident. According to Officer Greg Sutherland, the unit has received 729 reports of dog bites since January, with approximately 30-40% of these occurring in the Tenderloin.
The Tenderloin neighborhood has a significant homeless population, many of whom own dogs for companionship and protection. The Dangerous Dogs Unit had a backlog of 66 cases before resuming its hearings in July.