A San Francisco woman remains in life-threatening condition after a pit bull attack in the Tenderloin that ended only when police intervened and the dog later died at the scene.
The mauling occurred around 9:20 a.m. Tuesday on Larkin Street, between Eddy and Turk streets, in one of the city’s most troubled neighborhoods. Officers arriving at the block found the victim severely bleeding and the large dog standing beside her with blood covering its face and body.
Video footage showed the chaotic moments as a bystander struggled to keep the animal away from the wounded woman. The civilian’s efforts continued until an officer could move in with a pole to catch and pull the dog back.
After officers finally secured the pit bull, medics rushed to treat the critically injured woman and transport her to a hospital. She remains in life-threatening condition following the attack.
The dog collapsed at the scene and was declared dead, though the source text does not specify whether police action or medical distress caused its death.
The Tenderloin has long struggled with open drug use, homelessness, and violent incidents, though Tuesday’s attack stands out for its severity and the graphic scene officers encountered. The neighborhood’s dense residential blocks and frequent foot traffic meant multiple witnesses were present as the attack unfolded.
The bystander’s intervention, captured on video, highlighted the dangerous window between the attack’s start and police arrival. San Francisco Animal Care and Control has not issued a statement on whether the dog had a known history or registered owner in the city.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine what prompted the attack and how the dog came to be loose on the street.