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Three people cited, victim still in critical condition after Hernando dog attack

Four dogs attacked the woman Friday in her backyard in Spring Hill. Their owners have turned them over to county authorities.
 
A Spring Hill woman in her mid-60s was critically injured Friday when she was attacked in her own front yard by a group of dogs who escaped from a neighbor’s home, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
A Spring Hill woman in her mid-60s was critically injured Friday when she was attacked in her own front yard by a group of dogs who escaped from a neighbor’s home, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. [ Hernando County Sheriff's Office ]
Published Feb. 10, 2020

A Spring Hill woman attacked by a pack of dogs Friday is still in critical condition, and three people who owned the dogs have been given civil citations that could total thousands of dollars in fines, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim, who is in her mid-60s, was in her backyard with her own small dog Friday afternoon when a group of larger dogs got out of a neighboring house at 11079 Mayflower Road, deputies said. Four of those dogs charged the small dog, then attacked the woman when she tried to pick it up.

The attack lasted at least five minutes, deputies said, and was broken up when Hernando County Fire Rescue arrived. The woman was taken to an area hospital, then airlifted to a hospital in Manatee County, where she will receive specialized treatment.

The woman’s small dog was not hurt in the attack and is being cared for by a family member, deputies said. The four attacking dogs, which have been described by deputies as “large” but not identified by specific breeds, were turned over by their owners to Hernando County Animal Services. The owners filled out euthanasia forms.

A total of six dogs, belonging to four different people, lived in the house at 11079 Mayflower Road, deputies said. Two of those dogs, a Pomeranian and a terrier mix, were not involved in the attack.

Three of the owners were given civil citations for having an unrestrained animal, having an unvaccinated animal, having an unlicensed animal and for animal bites, deputies said. A judge will impose fines at a court appearance in May. The Sheriff’s Office’s investigation is ongoing.