Owner arrested on outstanding warrant after 3 dogs attack woman in California

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KTLA) -- The owner of three dogs that attacked a woman on her own property in Anza on Saturday has been arrested on an outstanding warrant, officials said.

The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. in the 55000 block of Mitchell Road in the unincorporated area of southwest Riverside County about 34 miles east of Temecula, Riverside County Animal Services and CalFire Riverside said. The woman had been hanging some laundry when she was hurt by three pit bulls or pit bull mixes, Animal Services said.

The victim, whose identity was not released, sustained "severe" injuries, according to the agency. She was taken to a hospital by helicopter.

A responding deputy arrested the dogs' owner because of an outstanding felony warrant, according to Animal Services.

Officials said the animals were being held in protective custody at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus.

"Due to the severity of the attack, Riverside County Animal Services will seek a destruction order from an independent hearing officer," Animal Services said.

“This is another preventable attack on an innocent person and one we find very upsetting... It's imperative that owners of these types of dogs do everything in their power to prevent such horrific attacks,” Director Robert Miller said in a statement.

Miller urged those who own dogs with "high prey drives" to secure their yards for the safety of their neighbors and their pets.