KRGV.com

CAMERON COUNTY - A routine walk around the neighborhood turns into the fight of a lifetime for a Cameron County woman.

Margaret Haines passes the time with long walks around her neighborhood. All that changed Friday morning when she was attacked by stray dogs. Bandages conceal the wounds. The pain can be heard in 75-year-old Haines' voice.

"I just got about three doors from where I am and three dogs attacked me. They had me down on the ground, and they took a big chunk out of my leg," says Haines.

The dogs were still running loose when CHANNEL 5 NEWS got there. They even confronted our cameras. Haines says she'll never forget the attack.

"All I could do is kick at him and I screamed and screamed and nobody could hear me," says Haines.

A short time later, the Cameron County Health Department arrived. One by one, the animals were rounded up and then locked up. Haines' attention quickly turned to her health.

"I just hope that they've had their rabies shots, but I'm on the way to the hospital. I got to get stitches. They took a chunk right out of me. I could feel it when they ripped my skin," says Haines.

Haines confides the attack will always be on her mind. She's unsure if she'll ever go for another walk.

All three dogs are being held for 10 days. They're being observed to make sure they show no signs of rabies.