HOWEY-IN-THE HILLS - A Lake County woman showering at a neighbor's home was attacked by an 18-month-old pit bull last week and had to be rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center, according to a Sheriff's Office report.

The attack is at least the second mauling by a pit bull in Lake County this year, officials say.

During the attack last week, 73-year-old Joan Brown Benitez, suffered cuts and puncture wounds to her arms, lower legs and thigh areas, according to the incident report. The attack occurred June 5 at a residence on State Road 19 in Howey-in-the-Hills.

The dog, a chocolate-and-white colored dog named Marley, had been outside when Benitez came over to a neighbor's home and asked if she could take a shower there. As she was showering, several dogs entered the residence through a "doggie door."

The dog's owner, James Rhew, told a deputy after the attack that only Marley had "blood present on his muzzle." He also said that Marley was not familiar with Benitez, who had only been inside the home a couple of times this year.

Following the attack, Benitez was airlifted because of her age and a drop in her blood pressure, according to the report. The dog was turned over to Lake County Animal Services.

Benitez could not be reached for comment. Rhew called the episode an "accident." He referred to his dog as an "American bull dog" and said Benitez is "perfectly fine," but had no comment regarding the incident.

Animal Services Director Marjorie Boyd said the dog was in the midst of a 10-day quarantine to check for rabies. Then the dog will be euthanized, assuming the owner does not attempt to reclaim the animal.

If the owner does try to reclaim it, Boyd said, "We would be declaring it dangerous."

A second dog living at the residence was turned over to Animal Services and that dog, a female pit bull, likely will be euthanized after a 10-day quarantine, Boyd said.

"We deal with bites every day, but a cat biting someone or a Chihuahua biting someone is totally different than a powerful dog biting someone," Boyd said. "Big breeds can do a lot of damage quickly."

The attack on Benitez comes a few months after a jogger in Eustis was attacked by two pit bulls. That victim also had to be hospitalized. The dogs were euthanized.

Between Oct. 1 and April 21, Lake County Animal Services handled 441 work orders for aggressive animals.

Here is a list of the breeds that bit most frequently during that six month period: domestic short-haired cats, 21 bites; domestic long-haired cats, 18 bites; Chihuahuas, 17 bites; pit bulls, 14 bites; Labradors, 13 bites; chows, 12 bites; pit bull mixes, nine bites; German shepherds, seven bites; boxers and rottweilers, six bites; Maine coon cats, four bites.