LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two pit bulls attacked a woman early Friday and badly injured her before a police officer fatally shot one of the dogs, authorities said.

Angelina Wilkins, 42, was hospitalized in critical but stable condition with bites to her neck, chest and legs, Officer Martha Garcia said.

The woman, who used a crutch, was walking down the street about 3:30 a.m. when the dogs attacked her, Garcia said.

Four passers-by saw the attack and tried to help. One person tried to fend off a dog with a board and another tried to run down the dogs with a car, Garcia said.

Those efforts failed and the dogs continued to maul Wilkins until police arrived. The officers tried to use fire extinguishers to halt the attack before they fatally shot one dog, Garcia said.

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The second animal ran off but later returned and was captured. Animal control authorities were trying to determine who may have owned the dogs.

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