Three dogs have been shot dead by police who were trying to save a woman being mauled in a Melbourne backyard.
Police were called to Ross Street at Dandenong in the city's outer southeast about 10am on Thursday, where the woman was being attacked by the dogs in a backyard.
The officers tried to use pepper spray on the animals to no effect, so they drew their guns and shot each one dead.
The woman was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Police are investigating.