Elderly woman, 88, is mauled to death by neighbor's six German Shepherds in her Tennessee back yard Bessie 'Jill' Peterson, 88, was killed on Tuesday in Pall Mall, Tennessee Neighbor's German Shepherds mauled her to death in her back yard Criminal charges are considered and the dogs have been euthanized By Keith Griffith For Dailymail.com Published: 17:22 GMT, 2 March 2019 | Updated: 17:23 GMT, 2 March 2019 Viewcomments Bessie 'Jill' Peterson, 88, was killed in a dog attack in Tennessee An elderly woman has been mauled to death in her yard by her neighbor's six German Shepherds. Bessie 'Jill' Peterson, 88, was in her back yard trying to clear out a drainage ditch after heavy rains on Tuesday in Pall Mall, Tennessee when she was set upon by the pack of dogs, WTVF-TV reported. 'They dragged her down the yard and all of her clothes were off, her shoes, everything. They tore all of her hair out, the casket can't be open, it's like a nightmare. It's hard to believe,' Peterson's sister Nina Brown told the CBS affiliate station. Brown said she tried to get to her sister in the backyard but quickly had to retreat inside. 'Three of the dogs came after me. They started after me and I had to call 911,' Brown said. Peterson's sister Nina Brown said: 'They dragged her down the yard and all of her clothes were off, her shoes, everything. They tore all of her hair out, the casket can't be open' Peterson's wounds were so severe that she had to be air lifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she died a short time later. Brown said that the dogs should have never been loose, and that there have been a number of times that police have been called over the animals' aggressive behavior. District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said the owner of the dogs could face criminal charges. He said criminally negligent homicide could be a possible charge. The home where Peterson was attacked is seen above. The dogs were euthanized and criminal charges against their owner are possible The dogs charged at Peterson from a neighboring property as she did yard work 'This is a very sad situation. Once we gather the facts we'll determine if there's criminal liability or not,' Dunaway told WTVF. The dogs were all euthanized following the attack. Peterson's funeral service was scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Brown Funeral Chapel. She will be buried in the Maupin Cemetery. Peterson is survived by two step-children and her sister, as well as several nieces and nephews. Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility