Chihuahua died protecting owner

RICHMOND, Calif. - A Northern California woman said that her Chihuahua died protecting her children from two pit bulls that got into her apartment.

Mayda Estrella, of Richmond, said that the family's Chihuahua, named Manchas, jumped in between the canine invaders and her 4-year-old son on Sunday. A pit bull grabbed Manchas with its jaws and carried the Chihuahua away.

Contra Costa County animal services officials said that the Chihuahua was killed, and the pit bulls are now in custody.

The pit bulls' owner said that they had escaped their yard by chewing through a fence. Estrella said that her front door was open when the dogs came in.

She said that when she saw the dogs come in, she ran into a bedroom with her other child, a newborn baby.

-Associated Press