Authorities are searching for the owners of two pit bulls that mauled a woman on Chicago's South Side Monday night.

The attack took place Monday evening in the 6500 block of South Evans Avenue in the West Woodlawn neighborhood on the city's South Side, officials said.

She was walking when she suddenly found herself being attacked.

Witness Gregory Mallette said he heard her screams and tried to help.

"I was tossing a brick at them as police were approaching," Mallette said. "And as police pulled in, they were blowing their horn as they were approaching and they still, one of them starting attacking the police."

An officer shot one of the dogs at close range, and both were taken into custody by Animal Control. It was unclear if the dogs were killed.

The woman was taken to Stroger Hospital, where she remained in serious condition early Tuesday.

Organizations advocating for pit bulls say it's not typical behavior of the breed and that the dogs were likely trained to attack.

Police were still trying to track down the dogs' owner and the investigation remained ongoing.