Shocking new details have emerged about the agonizing final moments of young Arizona mother viciously mauled to death by a pack of dogs while trying to shield her 6-year-old son.
Emily Panuco, 26, was killed at her mother’s home in Big River, Calif., on the Arizona border by a dog previously abandoned by a neighbor, along with Heeler mix named “Dipstick” and another mutt, her family revealed to The Post.
Emily’s mom “was trying to do a good thing” when she took in the wayward dog — which would later kill her daughter and wound her grandson, the victim’s brother said.
“She would leave food out because she loved dogs,” said Daniel De Leon, 23, speaking about his mother on Wednesday from Emily’s home in Parker, Ariz..
Emily’s mother was not home at the time of the savage attack and arrived back home to find the grisly scene.
“It was horrific for her,” said Emily’s mother-in-law, Esther Panuco, 59.
The tragic incident unfolded on Feb. 27, when Emily took her son Jesse to visit a litter of puppies at his grandmother’s home as a “treat” for the boy, her family said.
The week-old pups were being kept in a cardboard box near the front door of the home when Jesse went over to pet them, authorities said.
That’s when the three dogs descended on the young boy, leading a frantic Emily to jump in to try to protect him.
She suffered several lethal bite wounds and died at the scene, while Jesse sustained two severe bites and survived.
“It was a dog protecting her puppies,” Esther Panuco said.
The third dog involved in the attack was the grown “puppy” of the abandoned hound, the family said. All three of the canines were euthanized by authorities after the attack.
Emily’s husband of eight years, Richie Panuco, 31, called his wife a “hero” for saving the life of their eldest child.
“She was a great person. A great role model, not only for her family, but I believe for the community,” he said.
“She was supportive of everyone’s dreams. Always full of joy. She did a great job at being very joyful.’
Emily also had a seven-month-old daughter, Rosmé, and acted as the guardian of her 16-year-old sister, Saralynn.
“She’s always been somebody to lean on,” hr bother added. “She lived for her kids.”
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