Dog that severed woman’s arm in Townsville attack hurt neighbour weeks before

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

The 34-year-old woman was at a home on Lonerganne St in Garbutt, Townsville when she was mauled by the Pitbull at 7.18am.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Woman’s arm severed in Townsville dog attack.

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 the woman’s arm was “quite ripped” and “detached at the elbow” on the Queensland Ambulance Service radio.

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

The woman, who owned the pit bull, was rushed 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 police force, describing the woman’s injuries as “catastrophic”.

‘Terrifying’ screams

Neighbours reported hearing chilling screams on the usually quiet street.

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

“It was terrifying,” he told 7NEWS.

“I was very shaken and scared.”

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

“They should’ve killed him after he bit me,” he said, adding that something needed to be done.

Efforts to subdue the dog on Friday were unsuccessful, and it was euthanised at the scene as a “last resort”.

“It was the only option we had, for the safety of the police and any 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 police force, describing the woman’s injuries as “catastrophic”.

A second smaller dog, not involved in the attack, has been placed in the care of RSPCA.

Police said they were not currently looking to place charges on the owner, who police confirmed was the woman attacked, under new laws passed in April.

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

Investigations are ongoing.