Three dogs have attacked an Opotiki woman leaving her battling critical injuries.
The dogs belonged to her brother and left her cuts to her head, neck and abdomen and legs.
The attack occurred in the town of Te Kaha, in eastern Bay of Plenty, on Friday.
Opotiki Mayor John Forbes described the attack as "vicious".
He said the dogs lived on the same property as the 60-year-old victim.
"I think they're from the house where she lived. She lived at the house with some of her family, that's my understanding.
Forbes said he had serious concerns for the woman's prognosis.
"I think the dog attack was brutal."
He said there were quite a few dogs in the "little cluster of houses" where the woman lived.
"I saw one trotting along the street the other day and it was all mouth and teeth."
A police spokesperson confirmed they received a report of a dog attack in Te Kaha at 12.37pm on Friday.
A woman was airlifted to Tauranga Hospital with serious injuries.
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