FORT DODGE, Iowa — The owner of three dogs that attacked and seriously injured a Fort Dodge woman will not be charged, Fort Dodge police told Local 5 on Tuesday.
Police responded to the attack on Nov. 24 after a resident reported they could hear someone calling for help. When an officer arrived on the scene, he found a woman outside a home being attacked by three dogs.
The officer shot all three dogs multiple times in an effort to stop the attack. At the time, police had few details to share regarding the accident.
Almost two weeks later, however, we're learning more about the circumstances leading up to the attack. Police believe the victim went over to the owner's house while they weren't home and let herself inside. The victim had allegedly been to the residence before and knew the dogs.
"Thus far the victim has been unable to provide a statement," said Cory Husske, assistant chief of Fort Dodge police, in an email.
Police say the dogs were "securely within the residence" when the victim arrived at the home. It's still unclear how and why the attack started.
No complaints about the dogs were reported prior to the attack.
Fort Dodge police say charges will not be filed against the dogs' owner since the dogs were properly secured inside the home and "not a threat prior to the victim's arrival."
The victim is still recovering from the incident, according to a GoFundMe helping pay for her medical expenses.
The organizer of the GoFundMe claims the victim had both legs amputated to her knees. In addition, she plans to undergo facial reconstruction surgery.