Woman killed in suspected dog mauling near San Bernardino homeless encampment

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- A woman died and another was injured following a violent incident involving two pit bulls near a homeless encampment in San Bernardino, authorities said.

The attack happened Thursday evening along a remote stretch of Perris Hill Road, across from Pacific High School's football field.

San Bernardino police say officers responded to a report of a woman being attacked by dogs around 5 p.m. When the first officer arrived, he found a woman on the ground with visible injuries. As he began to render aid, two pit bulls suddenly charged out of nearby bushes.

The officer opened fire, killing one of the dogs.

It was during this encounter that officers discovered a second woman, about 30 yards away, who appeared to have suffered significant injuries from dog bites.

"She had severe injuries to her face, and she was transported to the hospital, where she later succumbed to those injuries," San Bernardino Police Department Det. Araceli Mata said.

Police later determined the first woman, the one initially believed to be attacked, had not been bitten. How she was injured remains unclear.

Animal control officers removed 14 dogs from the area, including the surviving pit bull. Officials did not say who the dogs belonged to or whether they were legally registered.

The condition of the surviving victim was not immediately available.

The case remains under investigation.