Man mauled by his three pit bull terriers

SYDNEY - A NSW man's ears were ripped off by his three pet American pit bull which turned on him and and mauled him.

The 49-year-old man is in serious condition in John Hunter Hospital following the attack yesterday in the backyard of his Ellalong home, near Maitland on the central coast.

The man's ears were torn from his head after the dogs dragged him to the ground in the attack about 5pm (AEST), a police spokesman said today.

He also suffered deep wounds to his face, arms, legs and stomach.

Neighbours called police when they heard the man crying for help.

The dogs were later destroyed at the owner's request, the spokesman said.

Yesterday's attack follows an incident last month in which a 19-month-old girl was mauled by a pit bull in the backyard of her Bass Hill home in Sydney's west.

In May, the New South Wales government announced it would ban pit bull terriers and other dangerous dog breeds following attacks on a five-year-old boy and a 75-year-old man.

- AAP