PALM COAST — A pit bull-mix broke free from its owner, chased down and killed a Yorkshire terrier and mauled its 79-year-old owner during an attack at a Palm Coast apartment complex, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

Helena and Neel Karnani, of Orange Park, told Flagler County sheriff's deputies they were walking their 2-year-old Labrador/pit bull mix, Wilson, and another dog through the parking lot of an apartment complex along Canopy Walk Lane on Sunday when Wilson broke his leash and ran off.

Despite Neel Karnani’s repeated attempts to capture Wilson, the dog continued to run around “and work himself up,” a Sheriff’s Office report states.

Wilson, who the Karnanis described as “large and fast,” spotted James Bennett, 79, who lives nearby, walking his 7-year-old Yorkshire on the sidewalk. Wilson charged Bennett and his dog, whose name was Gidget.

Wilson bit Bennett on the right arm and bit Gidget on the back, the report states. Bennett picked up Gidget and tried to fight Wilson off but after repeated lunges, Wilson knocked Bennett to the ground and he lost his grip on Gidget. The Yorkshire ran but Wilson chased her down and continued to bite her before Neel Karnani was finally able to capture and re-secure the dog.

Gidget sustained several cuts and puncture wounds on her neck and back and died at the scene, according to the report. Bennett was taken to Florida Hospital Flagler to be treated for severe bite wounds to his right arm. Neel Karnani turned Wilson over to the Flagler Humane Society to be euthanized, the report states.

Bennett's wife, Sandra, also was hospitalized after she had an anxiety attack and passed out at the scene Sunday. She said in a telephone interview Tuesday that her husband was recovering and in much pain. She described his arm as swollen and "mutilated," saying he was exhausted and shaken by the traumatic attack.

Sandra Bennett said Gidget, who the couple had since she was 8 weeks old, was a certified service dog and weighed less than 6 pounds.

“She was just a tiny, little bitty thing, and that dog aimed to kill,” Sandra Bennett said. “She loved so many people, and she just brought so much pleasure to everybody’s life. It’s terrible that she had to be taken away from us in such a horrible manner. And my poor husband has to suffer and think about all those things."