WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A Miami woman has been released from a West Palm Beach hospital after police said she was attacked by a pit bull while walking her dog Monday evening.
Police said Liliana Marbles, 35, was walking her pet Yorkie, Pochita, to a 7-Eleven near the 2100 block of 45th Street at approximately 5 p.m. when a pit bull that wasn't on a leash suddenly charged at them.
Marbles grabbed her dog to protect it from the pit bull, which then knocked the woman to the ground and bit her arms.
A person nearby raced in and kicked the pit bull to stop the attack, then called 911.
Police said the owner of the pit bull, later identified as Latisha Bethea, 38, was nearby and tried to take off with the dog on her bicycle, but was quickly stopped by police down the street.
Bethea told police her two-year-old pit bull, Diamond, was on a leash that "slipped out of her hand." But Marbles said Bethea "was holding a leash that was not attached to the dog's collar."
Marbles was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center with "severe bite wounds to both arms" and underwent surgery. She has since been released.
Pochita the Yorkie was not hurt.
Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control impounded Bethea's pit bull. It will remain quarantined for 10 days while the agency conducts its investigation.
Police said the victim has established a GoFundMe page to help pay for medical bills and lost wages since she is currently unable to work.