AN ELDERLY woman is in hospital with serious injuries after being mauled by three vicious dogs while trying to save her own pet.
The Sydney woman, 78, was attacked at her Greendale home, police said.
Officers were told the woman was trying to save her pet pug who had been attacked by the other three animals, believed to be pet dingoes. The pug did not survive the attack.
The woman was treated at the scene and taken to Liverpool Hospital in a serious condition. She suffered serious injuries to her arms, legs and back, police said.
It is unclear whether the three offending dogs were pets, or if they had made their way onto the property from elsewhere.
The animals were seized by Liverpool council rangers on Tuesday before a decision is made on whether or not they will be put down.
The incident follows a fatal dog attack that took place in Canberra in October, and cost the life of Watson woman Tania Klemke.
Ms Klemke died in her home after her pet dog, Simba, a mixed breed believed to be similar to a pit bull, attacked his owner and a visiting man.
Police officers shot and killed the dog after the dog turned on them at the scene.
Ms Klemke had previously described the dog as her â€œbest friendâ€?.