THE Western Australian woman mauled to death by a dog loved the animal despite knowing it could be aggressive, a shocked friend says.

Sue Lopicich was killed on Tuesday afternoon at the boarding kennels she ran in suburban Perth.

St John Ambulance officers arrived not long after the attack, but Ms Lopicich died a short time later as a result of devastating injuries caused by the dog.

Council rangers seized two adult male dogs, a Bull Mastiff and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

The terrier was later released after police said the mastiff, named Stirling, was responsible for the attack.

A family friend told Perth radio station 6PR the dog was known for its aggression, but said Ms Lopicich loved it despite the aggression.

A neighbour said the dog had to be tied up when visitors entered the property.

Police said Stirling was very aggressive and guarding Ms Lopicich’s body when they arrived at the Southern River home, The West Australian reported.

Ms Lopicich had spent years rescuing and caring for unwanted dogs. A member of a similar WA group posted a heartfelt message to her daughters last night.

“Be proud of your wonderful mother and friend. She made a big difference in the lives of many dogs. May you rest in peace dear lady,” the message read.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious. A report is being prepared for the coroner.

The City of Gosnells said in a statement its rangers were contacted by police.

“City of Gosnells rangers received a request from the police to attend a licensed kennel in Southern River, to collect a dog which was preventing police from accessing the body of a deceased person on the property,” the statement said.

“As a result, the city is currently holding two dogs that were taken from the property. The adult, male dogs, one a Bull Mastiff and the other a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, are being held at the request of police.

“An investigation is being conducted by the police and the city is waiting to hear further from them. The dogs are microchipped and registered to the owner of the property. No previous complaints have been made to the city about these dogs.”

A neighbour told the ABC the dogs had to be tied up when people visited Ms Lopicich’s house because they were aggressive. He said one involved in the attack had been living on the property about four years. Another neighbour told the ABC the woman had a passion for canines, and cared for rescue dogs.

The tragic incident comes just weeks after a Melbourne man was attacked at a beach in Brighton East.

Cam McIntyre said he was lucky to be alive after a dog, believed to be a labrador-rottweiler cross, attacked him and left him with a gash in his neck just millimetres from a major artery. The dog bit his hand and neck and he was treated with 40 stitches.