A 62-year-old caretaker was hospitalized with serious injuries on Tuesday after she was attacked by a dog while walking with a disabled patient on the 3600 block of Jordan Street in Fortuna.

The victim, Maryellen Mullins of Fortuna, was taken to a local hospital for treatment, where she has undergone multiple surgeries for injuries to her arm and thigh, Mullin’s friend and coworker Indo Moran said.

Lt. Matt Eberhardt with the Fortuna Police Department told the Outpost that the dog — a 7-year-old bulldog — also attacked a nearby resident who helped Mullins fight off the dog.

“The dog was surrendered by the owner and the dog is in our facility under quarantine,” Eberhardt said. “The dog will not be returned to the owner. We will follow standard procedures and see if the dog is adoptable or not.”

Moran said the dog might have also attacked the disabled patient if Mullins hadn’t stepped in front of the dog to protect them.

“She is the best person,” Moran said. “Everyone at work loves her. Clients, staff: no one has a bad thing to say about her. She has the biggest heart in the world.”

Moran said that Mullins is recovering in the hospital and that she will need additional surgeries due to the attack.