Woman mauled to death by brother's dog that 'tore her apart' after she came to bring it food

A WOMAN was mauled to death by her brother's dog that "tore her apart" after she came to bring it food.

Patrizia La Marca, 53, was feeding the Rottweiler when the savage hound set on her and mangled the woman with its jaws.

According to authorities, the horrific incident happened in Ventimiglia, Italy, on Wednesday afternoon.

It is believed Patrizia was feeding the dog for her brother, who was away on holidays with his wife.

Not long after, the beastly canine reportedly attacked the woman and ripped off chunks of her body as she tried to defend herself.

Patrizia was found in a pool of her own blood when neighbours discovered her, who immediately called emergency services.

They arrived on scene at about 4pm and found the victim with bites to her arms, chests, shoulders and head.

Cops were also on scene, who shot and injured the animal, which was later taken to a kennel under judicial control.

The injured woman was subsequently flown to hospital by helicopter but later died from the injuries inflicted.

An emergency worker told local media the trauma suffered was horrendous.

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The worker said: "The body was torn apart in several places.

"A very serious clinical situation… I have never seen anything like it."

Authorities are investigating the incident but it is unclear if the dog will be put down.

The unprovoked attack comes as the number of adults needing hospital treatment from dog bites tripled in the past 20 years.

In September last year, five people were hospitalised after an out-of-control Rottweiler mauled them in a park.

Shocking footage captured the moment a two-year-old boy was mauled by a ferocious a dog in Thailand.