Florida woman airlifted to hospital after attack by 3 dogs

Shortly after 7:30 a.m., the woman was attacked by three pit bulls in Brooksville, WFTS reported. A passerby stopped to help, putting the woman into his pickup truck and calling 911, according to WTVT.

Ralph Hughes, 55, who owns the dogs -- named Dynamite, Lucky, and Aaliyah -- was cited Jan. 31 for aggression by the same dogs toward an unnamed victim, the Tampa Bay Times reported. He was fined $1,500, the newspaper reported.

The woman suffered severe dog bites on both legs and was treated on the scene by Hernando County Fire Rescue before she was taken to a trauma center, WFTS reported.

Bean bag rounds were used to subdue the dogs, who were taken to Hernando County Animal Services, the television station reported.

Hughes had been away from his home Sunday night and returned Monday. By that time, the dogs allegedly chewed through a hole in the back door of Hughes' mobile home and escaped. They were roaming free when they encountered the woman, WFLA reported.

"I'd been tore up all morning. I don't know what to think," Hughes told the television station."When they told me I couldn't believe it, ‘cause they were so good with people, you know? You think you know them, but you don't, you know."

Hughes was cited for three counts each of public nuisance animal (second offense) and owning an unrestrained animal, WFTS reported. He was fined $2,100, the Times reported.

Hughes told WFTS he had raised the dogs since they were puppies. The dogs were euthanized after the attack, according to the Times.

"I cried like hell, you know? I'm still crying," Hughes told WTVT. "I'm so sorry. If I could change it, I would. I'm just sorry."