dog attack
A woman trying to get into a backyard window of her East Valinda home was fatally attacked by the family's four dogs, authorities said on Wednesday, Dec. 29, with her 6-year-old son suffering minor injuries.

The woman, who lived at the home with a sister-in-law, forgot her key and no one was at the residence in the 18000 block of Elizondo Street, sheriff's Lt. David Petrocelli said.

"The dogs were familiar with the child, but not with the mother," Petrocelli said.

It was unclear why the dogs would not recognize her. The lieutenant didn't know the dogs' breeds.

The attack occurred before 6 p.m. Tuesday. Responding deputies saw barking dogs and a woman lying in the backyard and found the child at a neighbor's house.

Firefighters' hoses were used to get the dogs away from the woman, Petrocelli said. She had major injuries to her head and an arm and was taken to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, where she died.

The county's Department of Animal Care and Control took the dogs.

"The dogs are under quarantine at one of our animal-care centers," spokesperson Don Belton said. "This is an ongoing investigation and we are not able to provide additional information at this time."