A B.C. woman is recovering in a Calgary hospital after a vicious dog attack outside a wildlife centre west of Golden.

The attack happened last Wednesday at the Northern Lights Wolf Centre.

A friend of Isabelle Simard says she was dropping off paperwork when two bear dogs at the facility attacked her. Simard tried to fight off the dogs and eventually an employee at the wolf centre came to her rescue.

She was taken to hospital with a number of injuries including a bite on her forehead that goes down to her skull.

"On her right check she's got a big gash. Her forearms are bites or scratches all the way down. Her leg has been bitten bad enough that she'll need several surgeries including reconstructive surgery," said Susan Baerg, Simard's friend.

Simard is now getting treatment at Foothills Hospital where she is expected to remain for the week.

Baerg says one of the two dogs responsible for the attack has already been put down.

The Northern Lights Wolf Centre released a statement on the town's facebook page saying:

"We would like to make it clear to the public that this was not a wolf, it was a dog. The dog has been destroyed so no one has to worry. This is the first time something like this has happened. Isabelle is a good friend of ours and a very loyal employee we are very sorry for this accident, and we are dealing with it the best way we can."

Sincerely,

Shelley Black owner of Northern Lights Wildlife.