A woman sustained severe injuries after being attacked by an unleashed pit bull in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood on Tuesday morning. The dog died at the scene, and the owner was not located. The incident is under investigation.
The attack occurred around a quarter mile from the Tenderloin police station. A witness reported that the assault lasted between 10 to 15 minutes, during which passersby attempted to intervene with pepper spray. San Francisco police arrived and used a catch pole to restrain the animal. The dog became unresponsive while being restrained and was declared deceased at the scene, according to a statement from the San Francisco Police Department.
The victim suffered extensive injuries to her hands, wrist, and knee. She was transported to San Francisco General Hospital, where she was placed on a ventilator and remains in critical condition. Her identity has not been released, and there has been speculation that she may be homeless.
The dog and its owner are reportedly frequent in the Tenderloin neighborhood, though it is unclear if the dog was typically leashed. The dog's remains were taken by officers from San Francisco Animal Care and Control. Witnesses have suggested the dog may have died due to rough handling by police, but the SFPD stated the dog became unresponsive while being restrained.
Tenderloin Supervisor Bilal Mahmood acknowledged the incident, stating it is not isolated and that community members have experienced similar issues with dogs in the streets over the past year. He indicated that the city has previously worked with the SFPD on initiatives to increase enforcement and education, and further efforts will be made.
The San Francisco Police Department's Dangerous Dogs Unit has recently resumed its scheduled hearings after a ten-month hiatus due to funding issues. These hearings, known as 'dog court,' were established following the 1999 mauling death of Diane Whipple by two dogs. Officer Greg Sutherland reported that the unit has received 729 reports of dog bites since January, with approximately 30-40 percent occurring in the Tenderloin. The neighborhood has a significant homeless population, many of whom keep dogs for companionship and protection.
Before the resumption of hearings in July, the Dangerous Dogs Unit had a backlog of 66 cases. The SFPD has stated the incident is under investigation.