Woman has part of arm amputated after being attacked by two dogs in Riverside County

A woman had to have part of her right arm amputated after she was attacked by two dogs over the weekend in the Desert Hot Springs community of Riverside County. 

The victim a 76-year-old Sinaloa, Mexico native who was visiting the area to see relatives, suffered "multiple wounds" to her limbs on Saturday after she was attacked by a 4-year-old female and a one-year-old male Staffordshire Bull Terrier, more commonly referred to as pit bulls, according to the Riverside County Animal Services. 

The woman was rushed to a hospital where she received the amputation. 

"These tragedies are preventable and illustrates the critical need for all dog owners to be extra vigilant in keeping their yards secure," said a statement from Interim Director of Animal Services Kim Youngberg. "This victim was enjoying some holiday time with her family and just trying to get in some morning exercise. Then this horrific incident occurred."

They say that it happened a little after 8:30 a.m. on Saturday near the intersection of Thomas Avenue and Kay Road. It was determined that the dogs had dug underneath their property's six-foot chain-link fence. 

Both dogs were impounded by an Animal Services officer and later euthanized at Thousand Palms' Coachella Valley Animal Campus.

Officials say that the woman was hospitalized as late as Monday morning.