SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Though a couple claims one of their mastiff-Canary Island dogs played no role in the mauling death of a woman, others described frightening encounters with the animal.

The testimony came Tuesday during a public hearing that a police sergeant will use to decide whether the dog, Hera, should be put to death. A decision is expected within two weeks.

Dianne Wipple, 33, was attacked by the dogs near her apartment door on Jan. 26. The animals lived next door with their owners, Robert Noel and wife Marjorie Knoller. 0 Bane, the dog said to have inflicted Whipple's fatal wounds, was put to death the night of the attack. Hera remains at a city animal welfare facility.

Knoller started to cry Tuesday as she recounted the attack, saying she tried to restrain Bane and protect Whipple by covering her with her own body. She said Bane inflicted Whipple's wounds while Hera merely tugged at her pant leg.

"The behavior was totally out of character for either one of them," Noel told Sgt. William Herndon.

But one man testified that Hera bit him on the rear when he exited an elevator in their apartment building. David Moser said the couple seemed dismissive of the incident.

"I recall being kind of shocked at their reaction," Moser said. "They didn't seem to discipline the dog."

Noel disputed the testimony of Moser and that of a letter carrier who said he had to use his mail cart to fend off the dogs in front of the apartment.

Animal control officer Andrea Runge, who was at the scene after the attack, said Hera growled and banged against a closed glass door until they subdued her. Runge described Hera's behavior as "crazed."

City prosecutors are trying to determine if Noel and Knoller knew the dogs were vicious — a prerequisite to deciding if charges should be filed against the couple.