Police have shot dead three dogs after they attacked the woman who was looking after them, leaving her seriously injured in the hallway of the Rotterdam home where she lived.

The 44-year-old woman is said to be a relative of the dogs’ owner. He was not at home when the dogs attacked the woman, and as yet it is unclear why they did. A neighbour heard screaming and dogs barking, and rang the emergency services.

Police were able to see the woman, covered in bloody, lying in the hallway by looking through the letterbox, broadcaster RTL Nieuws reported. They entered the building using a ladder from the neighbours and shot the three dogs, thought to be Staffordshire terriers, dead.

The woman had injuries all over her body, particularly her arm, a police spokesman said.

Staffordshires, pitbull terriers, Rottweilers and the Caucasian shepherd are among the animals on a Dutch government list of officially dangerous dogs.