CARROLLWOOD — A woman was struck by a bullet Saturday morning after authorities said she slapped a gun out of the hands of a man who robbed her while she was feeding feral cats in her yard.

The woman, who is in her 70s, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Authorities continue to search for her attacker.

Deputies said the woman, who has not been named, lives in the 4800 block of Grove Point Drive in Carrollwood's Plantation neighborhood. She was outside feeding neighborhood cats shortly after 6 a.m. when a man approached her with a gun and demanded money.

The woman handed over the small amount of cash that was in her pocket and the man walked away. But then, deputies said, the woman followed him down the street.

When the man realized he was being followed, he turned around and again pointed his gun at the woman, telling her to go away, deputies said.

That's when they said the woman slapped the gun from the robber's hand causing the weapon to fire into her leg as the man ran away.

Deputies, K-9 officers and aviation units continued to search for the woman's attacker Saturday afternoon. Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call the sheriff's office at (813) 247-8200. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay online at crimestopperstb.com or (800) 873-8477.

Contact Anastasia Dawson at adawson@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3377. Follow @adawsonwrites.