Pregnant woman in Washington state dragged by hair, mauled by dogs while saving Chihuahua before emergency birth

A pregnant woman was rushed into labor after being viciously attacked by two dogs while attempting to protect her tiny Chihuahua from an American pit bull terrier and an American bully in Tacoma, Washington, reported K5.

Authorities responded to reports of loose dogs in the 4000 block of Puget Sound Avenue at about 1:05 a.m. last Thursday, where they found Renee Wilson suffering from severe dog bites. She was taken to a local hospital in stable condition before being transferred to Tacoma General Hospital, where she gave birth to her son, Armani.

Wilson suffered multiple bite wounds to her arm, thigh, head, leg and abdomen after the dogs knocked her to the ground while she tried to fend them off and protect her pet. Doctors induced labor because puncture wounds to her stomach raised concerns about infection.

Wilson remains hospitalized as she recovers from the attack after developing cellulitis and a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. She told local media she feared for her unborn son's life when one of the dogs latched onto her abdomen but said the newborn is now "happy" and "healthy." She is undergoing physical therapy after the attack left her temporarily unable to move her right leg.

"I don't know who the owners are of the dogs, but I could have lost my life, and so could my son," Wilson told K5. "And then I have three other children that need me, so it's just an unfortunate, messed-up situation."

"It kept latching back on after it would bite me, so it bit my arm, then jumped back up and attacked my belly," she said.

Wilson also told K5 she was dragged to the ground by her hair as the attack continued.

"The dogs had been attacking me for at least a minute or two while I was screaming for help," she said.

Doctors have kept Armani at the hospital while Wilson recovers and until she is able to walk and her leg is free of infection. The Washington mother said she misses being with her newborn.

"Well, he's only 4 days old, so I'm kind of lonely. I miss him," she said. "I wish I was able to be with him. I wish he was able to be here."

Following the attack, Tacoma authorities impounded the dogs. According to Animal Control Officer Brittany Kirsch, the animals will be euthanized.