A Colorado woman has been left in critical condition after she was attacked by three pit bulls outside of her home.
Aurora Police Department and the city’s animal services responded to the home on Monday, March 30, at 11:40 a.m. in response to a reported animal attack. Once they arrived, authorities found Hilda Lorena Cifuentes suffering from multiple bite wounds.
Cifuentes, 57, was transported to the hospital, where she has since undergone multiple surgeries in light of her severe injuries.
She sustained extensive injuries on her face, arms, legs and abdomen, while she also experienced head trauma.
Following the attack, Cifuentes’ family spoke to CBS Colorado about the incident and the extent of her injuries. The family said that she may lose vision and her left leg, as well as other permanent and life-altering injuries.
Cifuentes’ daughter, Sandy Aparicio, told the outlet that the attack happened during a routine morning while she was cleaning the yard. Aparicio said Cifuentes had been moving items from her front yard to a shared parking area when three of her neighbor’s dogs got loose and started attacking her.
“We don’t know if the door was left open or if it was an accident,” Aparicio said of how the dogs got out of their home. “But the dogs came out to the parking space, and that’s when they started attacking my mom.”
Brenda Chacon was nearby and immediately tried to intervene when she heard Cifuentes screaming.
“I tried to do whatever I can, but the dogs started coming at me too,” Chacon told the outlet. “I saw her suffer. That’s what hurt.”
Chacon yelled for help and tried to get anyone nearby to call 911. She then ran to a nearby store, where she was able to get help.
Neighbors and bystanders eventually reported to the scene and started to throw rocks at the dogs in an attempt to stop the attack.
Chacon added that the dogs’ owner was present, though they were unable to stop their pets from attacking Cifuentes. “It was terrible, something traumatic. I’ve never seen anything like that,” she said of the incident.
The attack lasted approximately between eight and 10 minutes, according to the family.
The family also said that the three dogs involved in the attack have since been euthanized.
“What if it was a child? 2 or 3 years old?” Aparicio said. “Her life is not going to be the same. How is she going to go back to work? Everything is going to change.”
Cifuentes’ family is now demanding answers and accountability for the attack.
“If you’re the owner, you have to make sure your dogs are secured,” Aparicio said. “Why were they free?”
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Cifuentes’ medical bills, rehabilitation and living expenses.
