Three dogs attack 60-year-old woman in Hochfilzen: Woman airlifted to hospital by emergency medical helicopter

According to police, the 60-year-old was on a farm in Hochfilzen on Thursday evening around 8:50 p.m., located in the small locality of Unterwarming. Based on the current state of information, she intended to make a brief purchase there, as several media outlets have reported in agreement.

What happened next is described by investigators as a sudden and violent attack. When a 50-year-old German resident of the farm opened the front door, her three dogs burst outside and immediately went for the visitor. Within a few seconds, the animals fell upon the 60-year-old.

Course of the attack

The 50-year-old and neighbors present reacted with presence of mind, according to reports. They intervened and, after a brief struggle, managed to pull the animals off the woman. Without the swift intervention, the injuries would likely have been even more severe in the assessment of the emergency services.

The 60-year-old sustained injuries to both legs and one arm in the attack. Because the wounds could not be adequately treated on site, the rescue service requested the C4 emergency medical helicopter. The woman was flown to the hospital in Zell am See in the neighboring state of Salzburg.

The dogs were seized following the incident. According to the information available so far, there were initially no indications to the authorities of any prior incidents involving the animals. The police have launched an investigation into the exact sequence of events and the history of the dogs.

Investigations and consequences

The case has triggered dismay in the region because it occurred on a farm known for its idyllic location on the edge of Hochfilzen. Hochfilzen lies in the Kitzbühel district and is known primarily as a venue for Biathlon World Cup events.

According to the security authorities, the investigations are ongoing. Should it be confirmed that the dogs had previously shown aggressive behavior, the owner faces criminal proceedings for negligent bodily harm. The authorities initially provided no further details on the type and breed of the animals.

The police advise visitors to farms to generally pay attention, when entering unfamiliar property, to whether dogs are running free on the premises and, if in doubt, to contact the owner in advance. Dog owners are also called upon to consistently secure their animals when there is visitor traffic.