GIG HARBOR, Wash. -- Two pit bulls that entered a Gig Harbor home through a pet door attacked and severely injured a woman while she slept, sheriff's deputies told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

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The 59-year-old victim is recovering at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma and was listed in satisfactory condition.

The dogs may have gone into the house to attack another dog, according to animal control officers. They attacked the woman in her bed as she tried to fight off the dogs.

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Deputies said the woman got a gun and fired at the dogs, but the attack continued. She was eventually able to escape the house, get into her car and call 911.

According to deputies, after the pit bulls attacked the woman they went after a neighbor’s Jack Russell terrier, killing it.

“They’ve had problems over there before a couple of houses down with the dogs. It’s one of those things. We just hope Sue is OK,” neighbor Ricky Russell said.

Pierce County animal control officers were able to capture the pit bulls.

"Highly aggressive, people aggressive, animal aggressive. They attacked a Jack Russell terrier out there and they attacked the lady pretty severely," said Brian Boman of animal control.

Investigators said the dogs were determined and difficult to stop.

"We ended up having to pepper spray them and our deputies thought they might have to terminate the dogs out there. That's how vicious they were," Detective Ed Troyer said.

Zach Martin, the owner of one of the pit bulls, told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News the incident is one of the most difficult he's ever been through.

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"Everyone's devastated. The neighbors are devastated. I'm devastated," Martin said.

Martin said it appeared the dogs broke free from their chains and broke through the backyard fence. He said neither one has been vicious until Tuesday.

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The victim is disabled. Her dog is a caretaker dog, a neighbor said.