A three-year-old girl was killed and her 16-month-old sister seriously injured when they were savaged by a pack of dogs at a home in a small country town in eastern Australia this morning.

Locals reportedly had to prise the animals off the children, who had been visiting a neighbour’s house where they were being looked after by a babysitter when the attack occurred just before 11am.

Paramedics discovered the toddlers and a 45-year-old woman after being called to the house in the small town of Whitton, near Leeton, over 400 miles south-west of Sydney.

The three-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 16-month-old sister had injuries consistent with dog bites and was rushed to a local hospital in a serious condition. She was then transported to a larger hospital in the nearby city of Wagga Wagga where she is expected to undergo plastic surgery to her face.

The woman, believed to be the children’s carer, was found collapsed in the house and was also taken to hospital suffering minor injuries. She remains in a stable condition.

Four mixed breed dogs which were found at the property were seized by police who are seeking to have the animals destroyed.

Graeme Kelly, a local butcher told news.com.au that the woman had been babysitting the children when the dogs attacked.

“She couldn’t get them off the kids herself - the neighbours had to rush over,” Mr Kelly said.

“It’s terrible, everyone’s upset. You don’t expect these things to happen.”

The attack has rocked the tiny community of Whitton, near Leeton in the Riverina area of south-western NSW, which has a population of just 350 people.

A spokeswoman for the NSW Ambulance service told Sky News that the paramedics who responded to the emergency knew the children involved.

“It’s a small town, the paramedics are aware of this family and the people of Leeton would know these people quite well, so it’s been a tragic day,” she said.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said she was stunned when she heard about the attack.

"I didn't realise anything was going on," said.

"I just made myself a cuppa before I break down, it's very sad.

"I'm very sorry about it, I'm shocked and shivering."

She said there weren't many dogs in the town and residents who did keep dogs had them locked up in yards.

Explore World News

• World Agenda

• Iraq News

• US & Americas News

• Europe News

• Middle East News

• Asia News

• Africa News

• Ireland News

Times Recommends

• Thousands of Tamils dying in 'welfare camp'
• Jackson 'rebuilt his nose before he died'
• Renewed Iran protests crushed by militia