Officer kills charging dog after fatal mauling at park, California police say

Dogs fatally mauled a woman at a San Bernardino park, California news sources reported.

Officers responded to reports of a dog attack near Perris Hill Park at about 5 p.m. Thursday, July 31, police told The Orange County Register.

While officers assisted an injured woman, two dogs charged at them, the publication said. An officer shot one of the dogs, killing it, police said.

Officers discovered a second woman with severe facial injuries nearby, KABC reported. She was taken to a hospital, where she later died.

The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office identified her as Teodora Mendoza, 51, of San Bernardino, The Victorville Daily Press reported.

It was unclear exactly how the first woman police encountered was injured, the publication said.

Animal control officers removed 14 dogs from the area, which is near a homeless encampment, authorities told KCAL. They are working to determine how many were involved in the attack.

Police ask anyone with information to call Sgt. Jose Loera at 909-384-5736, the station said.

San Bernardino is about a 60-mile drive east from Los Angeles.

This story was originally published August 3, 2025 at 12:05 PM with the headline "Officer kills charging dog after fatal mauling at park, California police say."