Authorities in Pickett County say an elderly woman died Wednesday following an attack by a pack of dogs the day before.

Pickett County Sheriff Dana Dowdy confirmed 88-year-old Bessie “Jill” Peterson was set upon by a neighbor’s six German shepherds on the 100 block of Evans Lane in Pall Mall.

Peterson had gone out behind her home to clear a drainage ditch after recent heavy rains when the pack of dogs attacked her.

“They dragged her down the yard,” Peterson’s sister, Nina Brown, said. She added, “All of her clothes were off, her shoes, everything. They tore all of her hair out; the casket can’t be open.”

Brown, who saw the attack, tried to intervene, but three of the dogs charged her. Brown called 911.

Following the attack, Peterson was airlifted to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, where she died.

Authorities have noted multiple incidents involving those dogs in recent  years, and Sheriff Dowdy has asked the district attorney’s office to aid in the investigation.

Reports indicate the dogs have been euthanized.

District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said the dogs’ owner could face homicide in Peterson’s death.