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1.03.2012

elderly woman dies from dog attack injuries

Crazy tragic story out of San Diego, where a 76-year-old woman died on Christmas Eve after suffering numerous injuries in a vicious dog attack last summer: Woman mauled by pit bulls in June dies.

Emako Mendoza was mauled by a neighbor's two pit bulls last June -- an attack that left her with horrible life-threatening injuries requiring multiple surgeries, including amputations of both of her legs and her left arm. Her life was never the same again.

The medical examiner confirmed that she died due to complications from the dog attack injuries:
Emako Mendoza was bitten at her home the morning of June 18 as she went outside to get a newspaper. Following the incident she suffered a heart attack, and her left arm and leg had to be amputated.

In the months that followed, Mendoza underwent eight surgeries. Less than three weeks ago, her right leg was also amputated because of infection within the bone.

After months of attempted rehabilitation, Mendoza’s heart stopped the day before Christmas. Her husband of 54 years, James, said Mendoza had been through a terrible ordeal.
Horrifying. The dogs' owners were ultimately arrested and face felony and misdemeanor charges related to "owning dogs that caused great bodily injury and failing to protect the public from the animals." The District Attorney's office is reportedly reviewing the case for potential additional charged.

More here: ME: Woman Attacked By Pit Bulls Died From Injuries.