A Maury County woman was sent to the hospital after being attacked by three pit bulls over the weekend.
Teresa Humphrey said she was in her backyard visiting her young grandchildren when a pit bull came up and bit her. Moments later, two others jumped in and started attacking.
"I remember seeing one of their faces coming at me, blood everywhere," Humphrey said. "The only thing I could think was that I was going to die."
The screams of Humphrey and barks of the dogs were loud enough to alert one neighbor who came to help. After beating away the dogs, Humphrey fell to the ground.
"If it hadn't been for that, I don't think i would have survived it. i really don't," she added.
Humphrey was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. There, she received numerous stitches to her arms and one of her legs. She's was waiting to see if more surgery will be needed.
Animal Control officers with Maury County said dog attacks are on the rise, in part because of owners who let their dogs run free.
"We're out in the country. They think they just can let their dogs go, and they can't," said Animal Control Officer Randy Bratton.
The owner of two of the dogs that attacked Humphrey was arrested over the weekend. Jose O'Campo was charged with Dog At Large felony. He was released from jail after posting a $20,000 bond.
Maury County officials said another arrest was pending.
Meanwhile, Humphrey said she warned O'Campo before about letting his dogs run freely through the neighborhood. She is worried that children could be the next victims.
"It could have been a kid," Humphrey said. "If it had been a kid they would have killed the kid. A kid couldn't fight. It was all I did to fight."
The pit bulls were placed in the care of the Maury County Animal Control. The dogs will be returned to the care of their owners, following their court dates.
