'The dogs are killing me': Three pets fatally shot by police after woman critically injured in backyard attack

A woman is fighting for life in hospital after she was savagely mauled by three dogs in a Melbourne backyard this morning.

Witnesses say it was just before 10am when a woman stepped out the back door of a home on Ross Street in Dandenong and was attacked by one dog before the two others followed.

It's believed the two American bulldogs and a pit bull are owned by the victim's partner, who has had them since they were puppies.

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Police initially used capsicum spray to try to stop the dogs attacking the woman, and when that failed they grabbed their guns, firing 16 shots to kill all three dogs.

The woman, aged in her 20s, has been rushed to Dandenong Hospital in a critical condition with injuries to her legs and arms.

Neighbours said they could hear screams for help before the shots rang out.

"The dogs had attacked on her and she was screaming, 'The dogs are killing me, I'm dying, I'm dying'," a neighbour told 9News.

"I just woke up and heard the gunshots so I got scared and go inside in my house," another neighbour said.

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It's understood the dogs had previously been reported to the council for their aggressive behaviour.

"The dogs are very big actually ... they are totally free, sometimes outside and we have [complained] so many [times] did the complaint ," a nearby resident said.

"They have increased the fence because it can jump from the fence also."

One neighbour told 9News her pet was attacked by one of the dogs in July and a report was made to the council.

Police said they attended the property earlier in the day for an unrelated incident and believe that may have unsettled the dogs.

An investigation is continuing, police said.