Wild Javelinas Maul Arizona Woman

An Arizona woman was walking her two dogs last weekend when a herd of javelinas—hoofed mammals also known as peccaries or "skunk pigs"—charged and viciously mauled her, the Arizona Republic reports. They tore away at her upper body and neck with their teeth, forcing her to have surgery and receive treatment for rabies; she was hospitalized as of Friday night. At least one of her dogs was injured and went into surgery as well. "We are fortunate that the attack was not worse," says Amy Burnett, a Game and Fish spokeswoman. "Attacks by javelina on humans are rare, but when they happen, public safety is our main concern." Six javelinas were killed as a public safety precaution, KNXV-TV reports. Neighbors in Fountain Hills were partly to blame for illegally feeding the wild animals, officials say. (More Arizona stories.)