Woman, 73, mauled to death by her own pit bull at her home as husband tried to help

A 73-year-old woman was attacked and killed by her own pit bull at her Boston home.

Jeriline Brady-McGinnis, from Massachusetts, was killed on Monday (18 November) afternoon after the dog, named Buddha, launched a vicious attack at 4:30pm.

Her husband and two police officers were also injured in the incident, which occurred outside the home, though police confirmed they had 'non-life threatening injuries'.

According to investigators, her husband had tried to save her and the officers from the dog. Meanwhile, Buddha was later shot and put down, according to Boston Animal Control.

Since the devastating attack, Jeriline's friends and family have spoken out about the 73-year-old.

Her friend and landlord, Jean McGuire, told WBZ: "She got attacked some way and they ripped her arm," adding that Jeriline had died in surgery.

She continued: "She's very close to her animals, almost like children, I think. She took good care of them. She walked them every day.

"I lost my sister. She's a sister. She's a wonderful person, very generous, very loving person, loved animals."

Meanwhile, Jeriline's children, Chris, Ronald and Donald, said: “Our mother was a loving and caring mother. She put her children first... The heart and soul of our family is gone.”

Jeriline Brady McGinnis was mauled to death by her dog (CBS/WBZ News)

The Boston Police homicide unit is now investigating the attack due to the nature of the injuries, CBS News reports.

McGuire further told the outlet that they had 'too many dogs' and 'put them in cages'.

"Don't put your dog in a cage. You've got to keep them from fighting or whatever," said McGuire. "But you know you stay out of people's business."

According to WBZ, neighbours had also said they were scared of the dogs, who they said often barked loudly.

Earlier this year, a little boy saved his younger sister from a pit bull attack.

At the end of June, the children's mom, Rebecca Chitwood, says a fully grown pit bull dog broke out of a neighbour's yard and into the one the one where Lillian was playing in.

The incident occurred on Monday (WBZ)

Her brother Nicholas' quick actions saw him kick the dog while getting his sister Lillian to safety and keeping her out of the way after the animal had bitten down on her face and neck.

The attack left the six-year-old with extensive nerve damage and it's thought she might require further medical attention.

Their mother told news station WNEM: "When I got the call, I just dropped everything and sped all the way to the hospital."

She added that she was told over the phone her daughter had been attacked by a dog, but not told the extent of it.

She continued: "To me, that could mean anything. It could be a couple of puncture wounds, it could be what she's experiencing now, it could've been even worse."

Speaking after the incident, Nicholas revealed to WNEM that his reason for diving in against the dog as he said: "I didn't want her to die."