AURORA, Colo. -- A 10-year-old Aurora boy was listed in critical condition Wednesday afternoon after he was mauled by family dogs in his back yard.

"It was horrific. I've never seen anything like that in my life," said neighbor Mike Brushell.

The attack happened at about 3:13 p.m. in the 16600 block of East Asbury, 7News reported.

According to police, the boy was attempting to climb the fence to get into his own yard when the pit bulls attacked him. He was jumping the wooden fence to get into the back door after coming home from school and finding the front door locked.

"We looked over (the) fence and three of them were just literally attacking this little boy and he was calling (the dogs) by their names, but they wouldn't let go of him," a neighbor said.

"They had him by the neck," another neighbor said.

Three neighbors grabbed large sticks in an effort to get the dogs to let release the boy. They said they had to beat the dogs, which finally let go.

The boy was not immediately identified. He was rushed to Aurora Medical Center South and then airlifted to Children's Hospital.

Police said the boy sustained injuries to his head, face, throat, torso, arms and legs.

Two of the dogs were taken into custody by Aurora Animal Control. Police officers shot the third dog as it attempted to escape from the scene. That dog was transported to Alameda East Veterinary Hospital and subsequently euthanized.

Police are continuing to investigate the attack and said that only one of the dogs was licensed in Aurora. The city said the dog owner was cited in 2003 for keeping an excessive number of dogs and allowing them to run at large.

The city of Aurora recently banned pit bull breeds unless they are licensed by Jan. 31, 2006.