The woman, whose name has not been released, died of “multiple penetrating, mauling and blunt force injuries,” according to the medical examiner’s statement, which called the death an accident and listed no contributing conditions.
“We probably won’t know how many of the dogs were involved in the attack but the injuries sustained by the woman is what caused her death,” said San Diego Sheriff’s Lt. Glenn Giannantonio.
The woman had been hired to clean the house in the 1300 block of Calle Tecolotlan while the owners were out of town, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office. Her body was found Sunday at about 5:15 p.m. by a cousin who was checking on her welfare.
Several large dogs, identified by neighbors as English bulldogs, were on the property, Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Jenkins said.
Eight dogs were impounded Sunday by the county Department of Animal Services and taken to a shelter, pending a decision on the cause of death and whether the dogs are determined to be dangerous enough to be euthanized.
“To have something like this happen, there are so many unanswered questions,” said Department of Animal Services spokesman Daniel Desousa. “We don’t know what will happen to the dogs until our investigation is over. Our ultimate goal is to ensure the public is safe and protected.”
Desousa said the dogs ranged between 4-months and 3-years-old. He believes the dogs are an English-American bulldog mix.
While deputies were checking the residence for other possible victims, they found 24 marijuana plants growing in a rear bedroom. Investigators with the county Narcotics Task Force confiscated the plants are investigating the growing operation.
It was unclear if criminal charges might result from the death.
FALLBROOK, Calif. — An investigation was under way Monday into the death of a 30-year-old woman whose body was found in the back yard of a Fallbrook home along with several large dogs who had to be rounded up by animal control, authorities said.
