TYLER, Texas — A woman was killed in what officials are calling a "vicious attack" by three dogs in Smith County Friday afternoon.

According to the Smith County Sheriff's Office, a 23-year-old woman was found lying in the backyard of a home on Northwood Drive in Tyler around 4:15 p.m. They say she had been attacked by three pit bull dogs.

She was dog-sitting for the owners who were out of town, the sheriff's office said.

The deputy ran toward the woman and the dogs came toward him. The deputy was able to shoot and kill one of the dogs, which caused the other two to leave, the SCSO said.

The deputy was able to remove woman from the backyard. She died from the injuries she sustained, the sheriff's office said.

Smith County Precinct 2 Justice of Peace Andy Dunklin ordered an autopsy. Th

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