Boomer the collie cross attacked and killed by the pit bulls

It happened at about 1400 GMT on Sunday on the Upper Suffolk Road.

The woman's collie cross died in the attack, but she is not thought to have been injured. A man who tried to help was treated for hand injuries.

Meanwhile, at least 50 sheep have been killed after they were attacked by two large dogs near Crossmaglen in south Armagh on Sunday night.

It has been reported that police officers in west Belfast fired more than a dozen shots at the pit bull dogs.

The incident has been referred to the Police Ombudsman in line with police procedure when officers open fire.

Stephen Philpot of the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the dogs were illegal under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

"It is only a matter of time before a child is attacked and seriously injured or killed by one of these dogs," he said.

"These dogs were outlawed in 1976, they are a proscribed breed and unfortunately, due to some people's misguided wishes to have an illegal sport, these animals are in Northern Ireland."

The USPCA has appealed for anyone who knows the owners of the dogs to get in contact with them.

Meanwhile, it is thought most of the sheep attacked in south Armagh died after being bitten by the dogs, but some drowned in a river as they tried to escape.

The flock of sheep was attacked at the weekend

One dog has since been shot dead in the same area.

John Harvey, the farmer who owned the animals, said it was a horrendous sight.

"I went down to the field and I just seen the devastation, death and destruction.

"Sheep drowned, sheep in the river and some killed up against the fences and the gate."

Sinn Fein councillor Terry Hearty, who runs a farm nearby, said it was a shocking scene.

"This type of destruction will have a huge impact for this farmer," he said.

"The expense of losing 50 sheep will have a drastic financial impact and it is very difficult to begin restocking a farm and running the risk of the same thing happening again."