Maryland Woman Dies After Being Mauled by Her Fiance’s Dog

A woman has died after her fiancé's dog attacked her outside their home in Huntingtown, Maryland, Thursday morning, police said.

Someone driving past a home in the unit block of Cherry Hill Road about 7:15 a.m. saw the woman being attacked and called 911, Maryland State Police said. When a state trooper arrived, he found the dog attacking the woman in an overgrown area near the home's front yard.

The trooper shot the dog when it began moving toward him. The injured dog ran away, but was found a short distance away and was shot again, Maryland State Police say.

“The sheriff’s deputies and state troopers were able to locate the dog a short distance away from the scene where they — in fear for him causing more harm to anyone else — they shot again fatally wounding the dog,” said Elena Russo of Maryland State Police.

The 28-year-old victim, Jenna Rae Sutphin, was taken to the hospital in critical condition and died Thursday evening, police said.

Neighbors told News4 they were stunned by the attack. The dog has always been friendly and its owner, a Prince George's County corrections officer, knew how to handle dogs. He also has three Mastiffs and recently started training a K-9.

Police identified the attacking dog as a Dogo Argentino, which is described by the American Kennel Club as a pack-hunting dog that is bred for the pursuit of "big-game such as wild boar and puma."