Photo: CTV News Lauren Fabbi says she and her dog were attacked by pit bulls in Vancouver over the weekend.

Lauren Fabbi and her dog, Calvin, were out for a walk near Vancouver's Andy Livingstone Park when they were attacked by pitbulls on Saturday.

“I kind of saw in the peripheral a woman with some large dogs,” Fabbi told CTV News.

“As I was crossing the street to go back home, one of the dogs got loose and came charging at me and Calvin,” she said. “I went over top of him and just covered him with my body and my arms. And the dog just started attacking.”

Neighbour George Baker watched in horror and rushed to her side.

“Lauren was trying to cover her dog,” said Baker, "and then the two dogs lunged at her.”

Baker managed to get Fabbi free, but the pitbulls still had her dog. “They were throwing Calvin around like a rag doll,” she said, “I couldn’t even look.”

Police and paramedics arrived soon after, and one dog was seized by bylaw officers.

Fabbi was given nine stitches for a deep bite on the back of her left arm. Her dog’s injuries are much more severe.

“He does have a lot of bruising, he has about four large puncture wounds. A very large one on his neck that has been stitched up,” said Fabbi.

Veterinarian bills have reached $4,300.

– with files from CTV Vancouver