Western Wis. woman seriously mauled by 4 dogs

TILDEN, Wis. (AP) -- A woman was mauled by four dogs as she was walking down the street in the western Wisconsin town of Tilden.

The Chippewa County sheriff's department says 68-year-old Kathleen Benish was attacked Friday afternoon. Deputies say the dogs dragged her into a ditch and tore most of her clothing before the owner of the dogs was able to control them.

Benish underwent surgery at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire. The hospital wouldn't give her condition Sunday, but the Leader-Telegram reports she was in critical condition late Saturday with wounds over her entire body.

Dog owner Matthew Mikula told WEAU-TV that Benish walks past his house several times a day, and nothing like this had ever happened before.

Deputies say the dogs, weighing between 60 and 80 pounds, are under quarantine at a local veterinarian.