An Aurora mother is in critical condition after what relatives describe as a brutal attack by three dogs outside her home, a mauling they say has left her with devastating injuries and a long recovery ahead.
Video of the attack, first reported by CBS News Colorado, shows three pit bulls involved in the assault outside the woman’s residence. Family members told the station that doctors expect her wounds to be permanent and life-altering. The CBS report and accompanying video, published Thursday, April 2, remain the primary public account of what happened.
City Rules and Recent Legal History
Aurora has spent years wrestling with how to handle high-risk dogs. The city first adopted breed-specific restrictions in 2005 and has repeatedly revisited that policy in council meetings and in court. According to the Aurora City Council agenda, Council item 2024-82 amended Section 14-75 of the municipal code as recently as December 2024, with the agenda posted on the city’s website.
Local outlets have tracked the legal fights and voter actions around Aurora’s pit bull rules. That ongoing tug-of-war was highlighted by Denver Gazette coverage alongside city records.
How Common Are Severe Dog Maulings?
Severe dog attacks like this one are rare on any single block, but nationally, dog bites add up to a significant public health issue. Recent analyses estimate hundreds of thousands of emergency department visits every year and thousands of hospitalizations tied to dog-related injuries. A review of CDC data found that dog attacks make up a notable share of animal-related fatalities and that dog-related deaths have risen in recent years, underscoring how quickly a familiar animal can become dangerous…