Good Samaritans recalled the horror they encountered on an Eden Prairie exit ramp, where they rushed to the aid of a couple panhandling with their toddler daughter who were bloodied during an attack by three dogs that escaped from their owners' SUV.
The frantic scene unfolded about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the top of the ramp from westbound Interstate 494 to Flying Cloud Drive, said police spokeswoman Joyce Lorenz.
While the SUV was stopped at the ramp's red light, a man came toward the vehicle, prompting the dogs to bark, Lorenz said. As he moved closer still to the SUV, "one of the dogs jumped from the window of the vehicle and chased and bit the three individuals," Lorenz said.
An owner of the dog exited the SUV to retrieve the animal, and the other two dogs got out as well, the spokeswoman added.
An ambulance took the adult female victim, Sabona Tudor of Brooklyn Center, to HCMC with noncritical injuries, Lorenz said. She was in satisfactory condition Friday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Ilie Tudor and 2-year-old daughter Sofia went to HCMC on their own and survived their injuries, Lorenz said.
The dogs' owners, whom police have not identified, "are cooperating with police," and the animals are in quarantine as the investigation continues, Lorenz said.
P.M. Ernste said she was in her vehicle with her daughter on the ramp, saw the entire attack and rushed to the bleeding woman's aid.