Edmonton police said Tuesday that a fundraising effort is underway to help a woman cover high veterinary costs to treat her dog, after they were injured in a dog attack over the weekend.

On Sunday at about 9 a.m., a 54-year-old woman was walking with her small dog in an alley near 112 Avenue and 101 Street.

Police said the woman and her dog were surrounded and attacked by a group of medium to large-sized dogs.

The woman suffered serious dog bites across her body, and she is recuperating in hospital following several hours of surgery.

Her dog, which police said is a four-year-old Papillion-type breed, also had to undergo hours of surgery due to serious bite wounds and vertebrae damage – costs of surgery are believed to be between $8,000 and $10,000.

The dog is convalescing at Guardian Veterinary Centre, at 5620 99 Street – and the centre is accepting donations from the public to help cover the costs of veterinary care.

Officers with the Downtown Division have pitched in more than $200 to the cause, and an anonymous donor has contributed $1,000.

Anyone interested in helping out can bring their donations into the Guardian Veterinary Centre personally, or by mail to 5620 99 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 1V2 ATTN: Dog Attack Victim Fundraiser.

Police are investigating the incident.

"We are working with Animal Control, as wella s the Crown to try and determine whether or not, and what, charges will be laid and if indeed we proceed in that manner," EPS spokesperson Scott Pattison said.

Animal Control Officers responded to the incident Sunday, and apprehended the dogs believed to have been involved in the attack.