ACTON — A 27-pound, 12-year-old mixed breed dog named Kramer has died after he was attacked by another dog on Sunday.

The owners of the canines were each bitten and treated for their wounds after trying to separate the animals, said York County Sheriff William King.

The larger dog, which King said was as a pit bull, lunged at Kramer and bit his neck.  

“The dog continued the attack for several minutes, until Kramer succumbed to his injuries,” the sheriff said.

The incident began as a get-together. The owners, both of Acton, share a love for canines, and planned the visit with their respective dogs. The owner pf the pit bull visited her friend on Hopper Road with two dogs. Both of her animals were on leashes.

King said the women tried unsuccessfully to stop the attack by trying to distract the larger dog with a hose and then striking the animal with a rake handle and at one point, a hammer.  

He said both women were bitten during their efforts to save Kramer and were treated and released from a local hospital from injuries they sustained trying to stop the attack.  

“It is our understanding that the pit bull is a rescue dog that the woman recently obtained,” said King. “The dog is under quarantine.”

King said both women are upset about what transpired.

The Acton Animal Control Officer is handling the investigation.