Tania Klemke (pictured) was mauled to death by her pet pitbull Simba on Wednesday morning while trying to save her partner from his attack

A Canberra mother was mauled to death by her pet red nose pitbull, Simba, as she tried to save her partner from the animal.

Tania Klemke stepped in to save the man visiting her home in Watson about 4am on Wednesday morning when her beloved pet began to bite his leg.

Her son, Cody, wrote on Facebook the dog 'attacked the guy and the woman tried to stop him, then the dog turned on her'.

Police were called to the home by neighbours, who heard desperate screams coming from Ms Klemke's residence.

The woman's partner is in hospital recovering from a serious wound on his leg from Simba's attack.

When police arrived at the premises and began trying to save Ms Klemke's life, the pitbull then turned on them, forcing officers to shoot it dead.

Though Simba has now made headlines for his violent behaviour, pictures of him and Ms Klemke together appear to show a deep bond.

One image shows the two sleeping on the couch, cuddled up together.

Another pictures her son, Cody, nuzzling his face as Ms Klemke sits nearby, unconcerned.

Ms Klemke knew her red nose pitbull was dangerous, but refused to get rid of him because he 'took a bullet' for her during a previous violent home invasion

Pictures of the family show Ms Klemke and her family shared a close bond with Simba the pitbull

The woman, aged in her 40s, reportedly knew the dog was dangerous but could not get rid of him because he once 'took a bullet' for the woman during a violent home invasion, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

During an incident at the same address in March this year, a group of men wielding weapons broke into the property and assaulted Ms Klemke and another man.

Shots were fired during the break in, with a bullet reportedly striking the dog in the ear.

Ms Klemke had reportedly texted her friends after the incident, calling the dog her best friend and telling how he 'took a bullet for us'.

She later warned friends not to come over to her house because they may also be attacked.

The bond did not extend to others though, and Ms Klemke had reportedly warned friends not to come over in case they were attacked

When police arrived at the home on Wednesday morning, they themselves were attacked as they tried to perform first aid on Ms Klemke, before being forced to shoot the animal dead

One visitor to Ms Klemke's home was left needing 42 stitches after they were bitten by Simba

Speaking out after the death of the woman in her 40s, shocked friends told how she had warned them about coming over to the property because the dog had a habit of attacking visitors.

In one instance in August, a person was left needing 42 stitches after being bitten by the pitbull.

On Wednesday, ACT city services minister Meegan Fitzharris confirmed rangers and police were called out to the property in August to deal with the animal.

Police had also been forced to draw weapons on the dog on that occasion, but it was allowed to remain at the property.

ACT city services minister Meegan Fitzharris said the owners of 'large strong dogs' had a responsibility for their behaviour

'Clearly the dog was dangerous, clearly the dog has attacked someone overnight, someone we understand to be their owner or carer and that woman has died,' Ms Fitzharris said.

'Whether we knew enough at the time to have it declared as a dangerous dog is another matter we're following up on.'

Ms Fitzharris said she believed owners of 'large strong dogs' had a responsibility for their behaviour.

Describing the death as 'tragic', a spokesperson for ACT Police said there would be an ongoing investigation into the death.

'On arrival police were directed by a male in the backyard into the premises towards a female that was lying inside,' the spokesman said.

'A dog was also inside the premises. Police entered and attempted to provide first aid to the woman inside the house.

'While she was being worked on the dog attacked police officers, forcing them to fire a number of shots.'