Dog shot after attacking woman in Philadelphia's Fern Rock section

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A woman was taken to the hospital after being attacked by a dog on Thursday in the Fern Rock section of Philadelphia.

Police were called to the 5700 block of North Park Avenue at 10:39 a.m.

That's where a 61-year-old woman was attacked by a dog, described by police as a pit bull. She was bitten several times throughout her body.

Her neighbor, a 62-year-old man who police say is licensed to carry, shot the dog once.

The neighbor, who did not want to be identified, described what happened.

"I was asleep. My wife heard somebody out back screaming and dogs barking and stuff, she looked out the back window and saw dogs attacking someone on the ground. I jumped up, took off my pajamas, put my clothes on, grabbed my firearm and came on down."

The man said there were actually two dogs involved, but only one was attacking the woman.

"I fired one round at the dogs. Once I fired the weapon, both dogs dispersed. I dialed 911 and started first aid. She was bleeding profusely," the neighbor said.

Other neighbors heard the single gunshot.

"I was cleaning up, then I hear dog barking, then I hear screaming and then after that I hear the gunshot. One gunshot. I was outside. After the gunshot I hear no more barking," said Valentine Archivald.

Still shaken over what happened, the neighbor with his legally owned gun, says he was forced to shoot.

"If I wouldn't have intervened, I believe those dogs would have, it would have been mortal," he said. "I hope the lady is ok. She was chewed up really good."

The woman is being treated at Albert Einstein Medical Center.

The dog is being treated at an animal hospital.

No arrests have been made in connection to this attack.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.