A woman and her dog were brutally attacked by three dogs in an alley in the Chatham neighborhood Friday.
The woman was walking her chihuahua just before 7 p.m. in the 8700 block of South Cregier Avenue when the two were attacked by at least three other dogs, according to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer O'Brien.
The 64-year-old woman, who was injured trying to save her dog, was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition where she was scheduled to undergo surgery. Her dog was killed in the attack.
Neighbors said they heard the woman screaming and ran to help her. Some neighbors began beating the dogs with wooden blocks and others began using bricks, but the dogs did not stop.
"It was going on for so long that it was just like she, was just helpless," said witness Shakiyla Wilborn.
Wilborn said neighbors continued to beat the dogs until they let go of the woman and ran back into their yard.
"We couldn't stop this," she said with tears in her eyes. "Nobody deserves that."
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The owner of the three dogs also tried to intervene in the attack and was injured, officials said.
The 23-year-old woman was taken to Advocate Trinity Hospital in stable condition, according to Chicago Fire Media.
"I'm not a bad person and I'm so sorry. I'm sorry that this happened to her," said owner Katesha Curtiss.
Curtiss said she had the dogs as protection for her and her children, but that she never anticipated an attacked like this would happen.
"I just want her to know that I'm sorry and that I'm here for her," Curtiss said. "Whatever I can do I will do it."
Police said all three dogs were in the custody of Chicago's Animal Care and Control and the Curtiss faces up to nine citations for not having the dogs restrained, not having the required licenses, and for the dogs not receiving necessary rabies shots.
