Woman in critical condition after dog attack near Auburn

Two people were bitten in a dog attack in King County on Tuesday, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 22, deputies responded to a report of the attack in the 28800 block of 45th Place South, near Auburn.

An adult woman and good Samaritan both sustained bites in the dog attack.

The woman was transported to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.

UPDATE: 7:00pm 02/22/2021

A woman remains in critical condition after she was attacked by two dogs in South King County on Tuesday.

Video footage from a nearby home shows the attack happening in real-time at a neighborhood on 45th Place South, across the street from Thomas Jefferson High School near Auburn. Two dogs attacked a woman and dragged her from the sidewalk onto the street, the video shows. It then shows the woman laying motionless, followed by the dogs running back and biting her again. Video then shows the dogs dragging her further onto the other sidewalk.

Video also shows neighbors jumping into action, including Michelle Provan.

“(I) ran out, yelling at the dogs, and I saw them drag her across the street and pull at every limb they could,” she said. “Her face was all bloody. She finally stopped screaming and I wasn’t sure if she was still moving.”

The woman was taken to Harborview Medical Center where she remains in critical condition, according to a spokesperson from the hospital.

Provan said she ran out with a bat, before giving it to another neighbor who was also trying to help. He was also bit, but there were no immediate updates on his condition from the King County Sheriff’s Office.

One of the dogs was shot and killed by a King County deputy who arrived on scene, according to a spokesperson with the Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC). The second dog ran into a home, where it was eventually taken by animal control after a few hours.

The King County Sheriff’s Office deferred all comments and questions to RASKC.

According to multiple neighbors, the dog attack is the culmination of ongoing crime in the neighborhood. Kristin Purvis said she hasn’t felt safe for at least two years.

“It’s terrifying,” she said. “I have a 4-year-old son. He should be able to walk outside and ride his bike. I have a dog. I should be able to walk my dog like normal, and now I’m afraid I’m going to get attacked by an attack dog.”

Tom Olson, who also lives in the neighborhood, also said Tuesday’s dog attack was just the worst case of ongoing, previous incidents. Olson claims he’s witnessed consistent property theft (including a catalytic converter theft on Tuesday morning) and drug-use, making him feel wary about the safety of his neighbors.

“People have gone out of their way to nurture this situation and try to make it better that way, but it’s not working,” Olson said. “(Today) may have cost a person their life. (There’s) schoolchildren right there, Thomas Jefferson High School. Hundreds of school kids walk by here every day.”

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