An 85-year-old Puna woman remained in critical condition Monday following a vicious attack involving two dogs Saturday in Puna.
The woman was searching for her lost dog when two neighboring dogs attacked her, according to the Hawaii Police Department. Police and Animal Control are investigating the incident that took place at about 5:43 p.m. in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision on 12th Avenue.
The woman was bitten about the head, neck, and arms, receiving multiple puncture wounds and lacerations, according to police. Two men, ages 89 and 85, were also bitten multiple times injured trying to fend off the dogs during the attack. All three were taken to the hospital with the men being released after treatment of their injuries. The woman remained hospitalized as of press-time.
Police said the owner of the dogs is under investigation. The property in question where the dogs came from has a partially fenced yard, however, the dogs were not secured, and were able to get outside of the property. Police noted no history involving the dogs being loose in the area where the attack occurred.
Police noted it has not been determined at this time what provoked the dogs to attack the woman.
The incident remains under investigation and is classified as a dangerous dog incident under the Hawaii County Code 4-31. The two dogs were taken into custody and remain at a secured location in the custody of Animal Control.
Anyone with information on this incident should call the department’s nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311. Members of the public wanting to report vicious dogs can call the police nonemergency number to report those incidents as well at (808) 935-3311.