Husband finds woman mauled to death after attacked by family dog, police say

LONG ISLAND, NY -- A woman died after she was attacked by a family dog on Long Island Wednesday.

Police said a 70-year-old woman was discovered by her 66-year-old husband, mauled, mutilated and being dragged through the backyard of their home by the family pit bull.

Police responded and fatally shot the 7-year-old dog. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said the officer who shot the dog was traumatized and is currently being treated at the hospital.

Our sister-station WABC was told the dog had belonged to the victim's step-son, who died in a motorcycle accident.

Police said they don't know why the dog turned on the woman.