EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- A 74-year-old Eugene woman filed an $80,000 lawsuit against the owner of an unleashed pit bull that bit her hands.

But has she targeted the right person?

Gloria Hodges and her husband, retired Circuit Court Judge Bryan Hodges, are certain the pit bull belonged to Elizabeth Alexander, 35, who has since moved to Ventura, Calif.

According to Hodges, the pit bull pounced on her 9-month-old schnauzer in March. The larger dog then toppled Hodges and bit her several times on her hands when she tried to save her pet.

The owner of the attacking dog, whom Hodges described as a white woman in her 30s, ran toward the tussle, put a leash on the pit bull and walked away without offering assistance.

Eugene police referred the matter to animal control officials who could not locate a suspect.

Gloria and Bryan Hodges turned to a private investigator. He obtained information about Alexander from her former landlord. Gloria Hodges was shown a photo of Alexander, and identified her as the pit bull's owner.

But Alexander's attorney, David Moule, said his client has three little dogs, and not one of them is a pit bull.

"I haven't heard exactly why they think she is the dog's owner," Moule said.

Alexander faces no criminal charges, so the case will likely come down to whether a jury believes the Hodges' gathered enough information to prove they have the right woman.

In her lawsuit, Hodges seeks $75,000 from Alexander for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering. Hodges also wants $4,741.34 to cover medical expenses for her and her dog.

Hodges, a church organist, remains under the care of a hand doctor and a physical therapist. Her dog required surgery to repair muscle damage caused when the pit bull's jaws punctured the pup's abdominal wall, Hodges said.