GOOCHLAND, Va. — Police say a Glen Allen woman was mauled to death by her two pit bulls.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports Bethany Lynn Stephens' body was found by Goochland County deputies around 8:18 p.m. Thursday in a wooded area.

She was 22, according to the newspaper. Goodland County Sheriff James Agnew says her body was being guarded by two very large pit bulls.

Initial reports from the medical examiner's office said Stephens had a cause of death "consistent with being mauled by these dogs." She had defensive wounds on her hands and arms. Agnew says it took deputies hours to wrangle the dogs, which he estimated weighed as much as Stephens. The dogs are being held at Goochland County Animal Control.

Agnew said they were seeking to have the animals euthanized.