Only the 43-year-old's quick thinking prevented her two-year-old from being savaged, after she grabbed the child from its pram moments before the two American pit bulls reached her.
The attack, which happened on Robertson Street Guildford West about 5.30pm on Friday night, still saw the rabid animals savage the woman's right leg.
The dogs were eventually scared off by her shouting but took off down the street and continued their rampage, barking and charging at police and neighbours.
The woman was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Westmead Hospital for a tetanus shot and discharged last night.
Police officers trying to subdue the dogs were also injured, with one officer attached to the southwest region highway patrol bit on the hand, while a second officer suffered a bite to the leg.
The latest incident comes as the NSW Government has agreed to toughen the punishment for owners of aggressive dogs in the wake of the Daily Telegraph's Muzzle the Mutts campaign.
Jail time for negligent dog owners whose pets attack will be more than doubled to five years under tough new laws being introduced by the State Government. Owners also face penalties of up to $77,000 under the new laws.
Premier Barry O'Farrell said the latest attacks showed then the reforms, which are expected to pass through parliament this session, couldn't come soon enough.
"Anyone who's bit by a dog is of concern - whether it involves police or individuals getting between dogs attacking other individuals - the reforms outlined last week will substantially increase the fines that apply to the owners of those dogs," Mr O'Farrell said.
Rosehill Local Area Command duty officer Inspector Glen Parks said it was unclear how the dogs managed to escape from their secure yard, also in Wisdom St, but police believed the owner has been overseas for some time.
A neighbour who lives across the road from where the woman was attacked, said he heard her yelling and his 38-year-old son Allan Biber rushed outside with a stick.
"She was screaming for help," said Mr Biber's father, who did not want to be named. "When he ran outside, he said they ran away. She was guarding the boy. I've never seen dogs like that in my life."
Inspector Parks said it was concerning that the dogs appeared to have been abandoned while the owner was overseas.
The dogs were not microchipped and it is unclear whether they had been registered with the council.
"We all know what these type of dogs are able to do and they are very frightening, particularly roaming the streets," he said.
"We keep putting it out there in the media as to owners taking responsibility for dogs.
"As to how they got out, we're not sure at this point but that will obviously form part of our investigation. I do believe someone was caring for them. Whether or not they were providing them with the adequate supervision, that's something we'll be following up on."
Inspector Parks said it was not yet decided whether the dogs would be euthanased.
"That's not a decision that's going to be made at this point," he said. "Holroyd Council are going to take possession of the dogs and impound them until the investigation is complete and a decision can be made about that."
Officers are unaware whether the dogs had been known to roam the streets or attack before.
Police and Holroyd Council are investigating the matter and seeking to speak to the owner about why the dogs were roaming the streets.
(Adelaide Now - Aug 24 2013)
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