A mother has reportedly died after being attacked by three dogs while protecting her 5-year-old son in California.
On Friday, Feb. 27, Emily Panuco, 26, and her 5-year-old son, of Parker, Arizona, were visiting her mother at a residence in Big River, Calif., at around 3:30 p.m. local time when the incident occurred, according to a release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Colorado River Station, which was shared by KTLA 5.
The mother and son went to Panuco’s mom’s home to see puppies that were several weeks old, Fox 11 Los Angeles reported.
When the boy approached the puppies that were in a cardboard box near the front of the home, three adult dogs, which included the mother of the pups, attacked him, the outlet noted. Panuco then stepped in to protect her son before being attacked by the dogs herself.
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Panuco suffered from multiple bite wounds from the attack and “was pronounced deceased as a result of her injuries,” the release shared by KTLA 5 stated.
“The juvenile sustained two severe dog bites and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and later released,” the release added.
The three adult dogs have since been euthanized by the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Animal Control, per the release.
A GoFundMe page has so far raised over $23,000 to support funeral costs, as well as Panuco’s husband and children.
“Richie Panuco is my cousin, and he is facing an unimaginable loss,” the description read. “His wife, Emily, tragically passed away after being attacked by dogs while protecting their young son.”
The organizers added, “Now, Richie is left to care for their two children, a 6 year old and a 7 month old, as they navigate life without their beloved wife and mother. The shock and pain of this event have left the family reeling, and they are in need of support from their community.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and GoFundMe but didn’t immediately receive responses.
Anyone with information is asked to contact San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy R. Flores at the Colorado River Station, per Fox 11 Los Angeles and KTLA 5.
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