Comatose Woman’s Foot Is Amputated After Dog Attack

A comatose woman whose foot was chewed by a dog was in critical but stable condition Monday after the injured foot was amputated.

The woman--whose name was withheld by authorities--underwent the operation at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, said Jennifer Bruce, a hospital spokeswoman.

It was unknown how long she would remained hospitalized.

The dog wandered into the house through a “doggy door’ and fled after the attack about 11:30 a.m. Sunday, authorities said. The pet door had been installed for a dog that lived in the house, authorities said.

The mother of the injured woman, who authorities said has been in a coma for several years, scared the intruding dog away when she saw it in the house and later discovered her daughter’s injuries.

The woman was recovering from the operation Monday, Bruce said.

Officers from the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services searched for the dog but as of late Monday had not found it, said Peter Persic, an agency spokesman.

Persic described the dog as black with a white chest and brown face, of unknown breed. It would be difficult to distinguish the animal from the thousands of other strays roaming the streets unless the woman’s mother positively identifies it, he said.