Vernon Hills officers kill dog that bit woman

A woman was attacked by a loose dog Thursday morning in Vernon Hills, and police shot and killed the animal when it charged again, authorities said.

The 56-year-old woman, who was walking her own dog, suffered hand injuries and was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Countryside Fire Protection District officials said.

Her dog - a miniature Doberman pinscher - was bitten, too, Vernon Hills police said. That animal was taken to a local veterinary hospital and survived.

The confrontation occurred about 9:30 a.m. near Whitney Place and Harrison Court. The attacking animal, described by police as a pit bull, first bit the woman's dog and then bit the woman, authorities said. The identity of the victim has not been released.

When several onlookers went to help the woman, the pit bull ran off, police said. It returned a short time later while the woman was being aided by paramedics.

The dog charged, and a police officer shot it once, killing it, authorities said.

Police later learned the dog had run out of a house on the 400 block of Stevenson Place in Vernon Hills as its owner was preparing to take it for a walk.

The pit bull's owner, 31-year-old Elizabeth Sutila, was charged with having a stray dog and maintaining a vicious animal. She is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 14.