Maryland Police Officers Shoot at Two Dogs Attacking Woman Heard Crying for Help, Victim Left in 'Grave' Condition

A Maryland woman has been left in a "grave" medical condition after being attacked by two large dogs at a home in Fort Washington last night, police say.

Multiple officers responded to an address on the 11000 block of McKay Road at approximately 8 p.m. after a citizen called to report a female had been heard crying for help, the Prince George's County Police Department chief Henry Stawinski said in a press conference yesterday.

Two officers who arrived at the scene around the same time quickly spotted the female victim on the ground being mauled.

Stawinski said the first officer to arrive had been unable to scare off the dogs and fired his gun at one dog, which walked a short distance before dying from the injury, local media outlet WUSA reported.

The second officer then discharged his weapon, which caused the remaining dog to flee the area. It was not immediately clear if the bullet hit the target, and a police helicopter was brought in to scour the region from the sky using infrared. The deceased dog was taken by animal control officers.

Discussing dogs that appeared to have run from the area, Stawinski said: "We don't think it poses an immediate threat to our public but one of the reasons I am here is to ask out community if they see a dog wandering in this vicinity please contact us immediately, call 911, don't wait."

The second dog was later tracked down and captured by animal control, WTTG reported. Officials did not reveal the breed of dogs involved.

Authorities said the victim was "very seriously" injured in the attack, with Stawinski confirming that she was left in a "grave" and critical condition after being rushed to hospital by paramedics. The police chief said an investigation will be launched into the officer-involved shooting.

The probe into the attack remains in the preliminary stages, law enforcement stressed. Officials know the victim's name and believe she is "associated with the home" but remain unsure about her exact relationship to other residents. The woman's name was not released to the press.

"It appears that she may have known, or been familiar with these animals as well, but again that is very preliminary," Stawinski said, noting that the address was not linked to any prior animal control call-outs. A third dog that was inside the home was seized by officials.

Police said there is "strong reason to believe" the attacking dogs were associated with the McKay Road home in some way, but said that it is still unknown what initially sparked the incident.