Dog that severed a woman’s arm in an attack in Townsville injured a neighbor weeks earlier

The dog involved in an attack that left a woman fighting for her life with “catastrophic” injuries mauled someone else just weeks ago, neighbors told 7NEWS.

The 34-year-old woman was at a house on Lonerganne St in Garbutt, Townsville, when she was attacked by the pit bull at 7.18am.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: A woman’s arm was severed in a dog attack in Townsville.

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Police and paramedics rushed to the scene where the woman was treated for significant and potentially life-threatening injuries to her right arm.

Paramedics said on Queensland Ambulance Service radio the woman’s arm was “pretty torn” and “severed at the elbow”.

Senior Sergeant Scot Warrick said police were first on the scene and administered life-saving first aid, including a tourniquet, as the woman’s blood loss was “extensive”.

The woman who owned the pit bull was taken to Townsville University Hospital in a critical condition.

Warrick said it was the worst dog attack he had seen in his 37 years on the force and described the woman’s injuries as “catastrophic.”

“Frightening” screams

Neighbors reported hearing icy screams on the normally quiet street.

When he heard the screams, Dale Butler said he ran to the woman’s aid.

“It was terrifying,” he told 7NEWS.

“I was very shocked and scared.”

A man who wished to remain anonymous told 7NEWS that he was attacked by the same dog just weeks ago when it dragged his arm.

“They should have killed him after he bit me,” he said, adding that something had to be done.

Attempts to control the dog on Friday were unsuccessful and he was euthanized on site as a “last resort”.

“It was the only option we had to ensure the safety of the police and all other members of the community,” Warrick said.

“We wish her a speedy recovery.”

Warrick said it was the worst dog attack he had seen in his 37 years on the force and described the woman’s injuries as “catastrophic.”

A second smaller dog, which was not involved in the attack, was placed in the care of the RSPCA.

Police said they do not currently intend to press charges against the owner as police confirmed it was the woman who was attacked, in accordance with new laws passed in April.

Owners of dogs that attack a person and cause serious injury or death in Queensland now face prison sentences of up to three years and fines of up to $108,000.

The investigation is ongoing.