Woman dies after being mauled by 3 dogs in Portsmouth, police say

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — A woman died after being mauled by three dogs overnight in Portsmouth, police say.

Portsmouth police say officers responded to a home at 1815 Atlanta Avenue, between Lincoln and Randolph streets, just after 1:30 a.m. and found the woman with serious injuries. She later died at the hospital.

The three dogs were pit bulls and they are in custody, Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins says.

“While these dogs are now quarantined and no longer pose a threat to the Prentis Park community, we urge residents to refrain from trespassing or attempting to interact with animals without explicit permission from their owners, as this can help prevent future incidents of this nature,” Jenkins said in a statement on Friday afternoon. “Additionally, we want to remind pet owners that it is critical to the well-being of others to keep their animals secure.”

At this time, no charges have been filed and police have not identified the victim.

Lawrence Davis, who lives across the street from the home, told WAVY’s Andy Fox that the victim was a visitor at the time and a man who lives at the home owns the dogs.

Jenkins originally said officers had not been to the home, but later clarified that Portsmouth Animal Patrol officers had been at the residence three times in the last 12 months. One was for a bite injury, Jenkins said in a statement on Friday afternoon.

The case is currently labeled as a death investigation, and no other details are available at this time, Jenkins says.

“As Chief of Police, again, it is with profound sadness that I address the tragic incident involving the mauling of a woman by three dogs, resulting in her untimely passing,” Jenkins said in his statement. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this difficult time.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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