Family of 3 injured in dog attack at Eden Prairie exit ramp

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (FOX 9) - A young couple and their toddler were attacked by three dogs in Eden Prairie Wednesday, resulting in the mother needing hospitalization.

Eden Prairie police said the victims were panhandling near the Interstate 494 off-ramp at Flying Cloud Drive around 2:30 p.m. when it happened. Officials claim one of the panhandlers started approaching the car, prompting the dog to jump out of an open window and start biting. 

Police said when the dog owners got out of the car to grab the dog, the other two dogs got out. 

Witnesses say all three dogs - which were described as pit bulls - were viciously attacking the family. 

Police and ambulance respond after the dog attack on Wednesday. (FOX 9)

"It was a mauling," said one witness who asked not to be identified. "I saw the owners of the pit bulls - whom I didn’t know were the owners at the time - trying to pull the dogs by the collars, and there was no releasing."

The witness said bystanders jumped out of their cars to help, using umbrellas and camping chairs to hit the dogs and try to get them to release. 

The mother, who the witness says was using her body as a shield to try and protect her 2-year-old from being bit, was covered in bites and bleeding badly when paramedics arrived. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance, while the father and child were also injured. 

"I hope the owners are held responsible for this. I hope these pit bulls are put down."

Police say the dog owners are cooperating with law enforcement, and the investigation is ongoing. 

Police did not say whether the dogs were removed from their home.