A state dog warden is investigating an incident in which a woman was bitten while attempting to stop a dog attacking another dog in West York on Wednesday.

Darlene Miller, 65, told police she was walking a pit bull, owned by her 32-year-old daughter, Holly Miller, on a lead in the 1100 block of West Market Street when the dog broke free about 1:24 p.m., said Chief Justin Seibel.

The pit bull, named Lexi, entered the backyard of 1120 W. Market St., where she bit a beagle named Bella.

Bella was tethered to a post in the backyard when the attack happened.

As Darlene Miller tried to pull Bella's head out of Lexi's mouth, Bella bit the woman, Seibel said.

Responding officers observed that Darlene Miller had three bleeding puncture wounds on her left forearm from the bite.

Bella suffered cuts to her ear that required medical treatment.

Rabies treatment: Lisa Roberts, Bella's owner, told officers that the unlicensed dog had not been vaccinated for rabies, Seibel said.

Darlene Miller was treated for her wounds at the scene by medics from West York Ambulance.

She declined to be taken to a hospital by ambulance but drove herself to York Hospital later to start the rabies vaccination treatment, the chief said.

Roberts was not home at the time of the attack.

She told officers she had made a "quick" trip to a store. Roberts returned home while police were there, Seibel said.

Darlene Miller, Holly Miller and Roberts were not available for comment Thursday.

Police turned the investigation over to State Dog Warden Barry Hockley at his request.

-- Reach Greg Gross at 505-5434, ggross@yorkdispatch.com, or follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/greggrss.