Woman, 91, loses arms after pit bull attack

updated 10:10 a.m. ET Feb. 16, 2004

ORANGE, Calif - A 91-year-old woman mauled by her great-grandson’s pit bull was in critical condition Monday, with both arms amputated at the elbow, officials said.

Ruby Sharum and her granddaughter were putting away groceries Friday night when the dog growled and then lunged at Sharum.

Next-door neighbor Shelbi Moore said Sharum’s granddaughter pounded on her door, screaming that her grandmother was being attacked. Moore said she walked into her neighbor’s kitchen after calling 911 and saw the pit bull hovering over the elderly woman with blood stains on the floor.

“I was terrified,” Moore said. “I had always thought that dog might hurt somebody.”

Moore said she had called Animal Care Services at least 10 times in the past year because she and her two young daughters feared the dog.

The dog was euthanized on Saturday by county animal officials.

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