Officials search for 4 pit bulls believed to have killed woman

Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and animal control officers were searching by air Thursday for four pit bulls believed to have mauled a woman to death earlier in the day in the Antelope Valley community of Littlerock.

Hours after the attack, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the dogs’ capture.

The 63-year-old woman was out for her morning walk about 9 o’clock when she was mauled by the dogs. Her name has not been released. She died en route to the hospital.

Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Parker said a motorist saw the pit bulls attacking the woman and called 911. A deputy who responded saw one of the dogs, and the animal tried twice to attack the deputy. Parker said the deputy shot twice at the dog before it ran off toward the desert.

In announcing the reward, Antonovich, who represents the area where the attack occurred, warned residents to stay indoors and call 911 if they see the animals. Parents walking their children home from school were told to be cautious.

Parker said sheriff’s deputies were going door to door warning people to stay away from the area. They were also trying to determine who owns the dogs, he said.

Late in the afternoon, authorities searched a home near 115th Street East and Avenue S, taking away eight dogs — two of them mixed breeds — and detaining a man on suspicion of narcotics possession.

Parker said detectives with a warrant working with animal control were searching the property. He said it was too early to say if the dogs were same ones that attacked the woman.

richard.winton@latimes.com