Iowa woman has both legs amputated, parts of her hands removed and will need a full facial reconstruction after being brutally mauled by three pit bulls that left her in critical condition

An Iowa woman has had both her legs and parts of her hands amputated and will need facial reconstruction surgery following a viscous dog attack last week. 

Brittany Skoland, from Fort Dodge, was attacked by three pit bulls last Friday, leaving her in critical condition. 

Police were called to the 800 block of South 16th Street in Fort Dodge at around 11:25am, by a neighbor who reported that they could hear someone yelling for help. 

When an officer arrived on scene, they found a woman being mauled by three dogs. 

After attempting to scare the dogs away the officer was forced to shoot each dog multiple times, killing all three. 

Severely injured, Skoland was taken from the scene to Unity Point Trinity Medical Center in Fort Dodge by ambulance and then by helicopter to Iowa Methodist Medical Center. 

The mother suffered severe head trauma and had to undergo several surgeries after being admitted to hospital. 

Skoland's aunt Teresa Hanus, also from Fort Dodge, set up a fundraiser which had raised more than $8,000 by Friday afternoon, to support accommodations her niece will need following the brutal assault.

Hanus revealed her niece 'has lost a lot more then we originally thought.' 

'She has had both legs amputated to her knees and parts of her hands. She is going to need facial reconstruction surgery, she also has serious head trauma and much more' Hanus explained. 

'Those who know Brittany, know she loves to be outside, doing yard work, helping her Mom decorate for the Holidays. She also enjoys playing outside with her younger children' Hanus added.

Explaining how any raised funds will be used Hanus wrote: 'The doors will be widened to accommodate a wheelchair and a ramp to allow her to go in and out of the house. 

'The house will also need updates to accommodate her needs inside.' 

Neighbor Kerri Johnson told KCCI about the horrifying scene. 

'I had heard the gunshots. I came outside originally and I saw police with his gun drawn. He had said for me to go inside and I did, I did go inside, but after a couple of moments, my curiosity is piqued' he recalled. 

'I stepped out into the driveway just to take a peek, I saw a black dog lying down on the ground, deceased, which is super sad,' he said.

Adding: 'I don't know what happened to the lady, but I know somebody got pulled off in a stretcher.'