A Fort Dodge police officer shot and killed three dogs that he found attacking a woman Friday morning.

The woman’s injuries were so severe that she had to be airlifted to a Des Moines hospital.

At 11:25 a.m. Friday, Webster County 911 dispatchers received a call from an individual stating that they could hear someone yelling for help in the 800 block of South 16th Street or the 800 block of South 17th Street.

A responding officer found a woman being attacked by three dogs in the 800 block of South 16th Street, according to police reports. The officer tried unsuccessfully to scare the dogs away. When that didn’t work, he shot all three dogs multiple times to stop the attack, police reported.

The Fort Dodge Fire Department was called to treat the woman. She was initially taken to UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center. She was later airlifted to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Police did not identify the woman.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about it can call the Police Department at 573-1424 or contact Webster County Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 573-1444 or www.wccrimestoppers.com or by texting LEC and the information to CRIMES (274637).

Webster County sheriff’s deputies and the Webster County Attorney’s Office assisted the city police and fire departments.