Award-winning children's author Roseana Murray, 73, has an arm and ear ripped off after being mauled by three pit bulls in Brazil

Award-winning children's author Roseana Murray lost an arm and an ear when she was mauled by three pit bulls in Brazil.

The dogs attacked the 73-year-old on Friday morning and dragged her at least 16ft, ripping part of her arm off in the process. 

Ms Murray screamed for help and managed to alert locals, who called the fire department. First responders found the author with bloody bite marks all over. 

She was in critical condition when she was airlifted from the scene in Saquarema, Brazil, to a hospital in São Gonçalo.

She was taken into surgery, where her right arm was amputated and her left arm and lips were reconstructed. She reportedly remains in stable condition at the Alberto Torres State Hospital.

Award-winning children's author Roseana Murray (pictured) lost an arm and an ear when she was mauled by at least three pit bulls in Brazil

The dogs attacked the 73-year-old on Friday morning and dragged her at least 16ft, ripping part of her arm off in the process (pictured: authorities seizing the three pit bulls)

Ms Murray was in critical condition when she was airlifted from the scene (pictured) in Saquarema, Brazil, to a hospital in São Gonçalo

Her family told local outlet O Globo that she 'spent the [first] night as well as possible' and was still recovering from surgery. 

Shopkeeper Sandra Noleto, who has been friends with Ms Murray since 2005, told local media how the horror unfolded on Ms Murray's daily morning walk.

She said: 'I woke up to the sound of a neighbour screaming for help because Roseana was being attacked by the dogs.

'There were three of them, from a house that had been squatted some time ago. When I looked, they had dragged her and were biting her arm.'

The dogs' owner, who lives nearby, was taken to the police station for questioning before being released on bail. His pets were reportedly taken to a shelter.

According to Noleto, 61, it's not the first time the pets have bitten people.

Ms Murray's family told local outlet O Globo that she 'spent the [first] night as well as possible' and was still recovering from surgery (pictured: Ms Murray before the dog attack)

She told local media: 'I hope my friend pulls through because she left here in bad shape. 

'Plus, we're expecting the authorities to respond and punish this guy [the owner].'

The police are investigating the dogs' owner for animal cruelty, negligent bodily harm and negligence in the care of animals.

Murray, born in Rio de Janeiro, began writing poetry for children in the early 1980s after getting a degree in French Literature.

She has published about 100 books and has received numerous awards.

She has 13,600 Instagram followers and is married to Spanish journalist Juan Arias Martínez, 91.