Woman in Good Condition After Pit Bull Attack

A 66-year-old woman who was bitten at least 100 times by a pit bull was in good condition Sunday at a local hospital awaiting plastic surgery, officials said.

Iran Monses was recovering from wounds to her legs and arms at Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center, said Jackie David, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Animal Services Department.

The Saturday morning attack occurred after Monses left her home in the 18700 block of Calvert Street to take a walk. Two pit bulls and a pointer mix escaped through the gate of a nearby house while the occupants were moving, David said.

One of the pit bulls, named Sara, bit Monses on her legs and arms, David said. A motorist who saw the attack stopped and hit the dog with his crutches.

“She is still in a lot of pain,” David said. “We want to find this hero. He may not know it, but he saved this woman’s life.”

*

Authorities impounded Sara, who was being held at the West Valley animal shelter. An administrative hearing will determine whether the dog will be put to sleep or returned to her owners, David said.

The owners found the dog in the street a few months ago and took it into their home, she said. Authorities were trying to determine whether the other two dogs also attacked the woman.

“People need to know that pit bulls are a special breed of dogs,” David said. “They are bred to fight. They have high tolerance to pain, and you never know when they are going to attack.”