Children’s author Roseana Murray, 73, loses her arm and ear after horror pit bull mauling while out on morning walk

AN award-winning children’s author lost an arm and an ear after being mauled by at least three pit bulls on her daily morning stroll.

The dogs dragged Roseana Murray at least 16ft and tore part of her arm off on Friday morning.

Neighbours were woken up by her screams and immediately called for help.

Officials found the bloodied 73-year-old with bite marks all over her body.

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

She was taken to the operating room, where her right arm was amputated and her left arm and lips were reconstructed.

Doctors at the Alberto Torres State Hospital said she now remains in a stable condition.

It is understood the writer is still recovering from the operation and "spent the [first] night as well as possible", her family told .

Sandra Noleto, a shopkeeper and Murray's pal since 2005, said the author has a daily habit of taking morning walks.

Telling local media how the horror unfolded, 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 taken to a shelter, reports.

Noleto said it’s not the first time the pets have bitten people.

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].”

Cops are investigating the dogs’ owner for animal cruelty, negligent bodily harm and negligence in the care of animals.

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

She’s 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.