An elderly Napier man's chihuahua is dead and another seriously injured after a vicious dog attack a family friend describes as horrific and "cruel".
The man was walking 8-year-old Hunter and 9-year-old Millie at the city's Ahuriri Park about 1:30pm on Sunday when the attack happened.
Ben Simmons, a family friend of the man who also co-owns the dogs, says the incident happened when another two dogs - believed to be a bull mastiff cross and German shepherd - appeared from nowhere and unleashed on the chihuahuas.
"He took them down to this little park - which is usually extremely safe - he had them on the lead and had everything right," Simmons told Newshub. "He got halfway back to his car and these dogs came racing from nowhere, off the lead, and he said there wasn't even time to pick them [the chihuahuas] up."
Simmons said the mastiff-cross initially attacked Hunter and while the owner was trying to rescue him, the German shepherd began attacking Millie.
"Blood was being lost at a huge rate."
He said the owners of the two dogs were nearby and questioned why they were allowed off the lead. When the dogs finally stopped attacking, the man quickly realised the extent of the chihuahua's injuries and rushed them back to his car.
"He knew he had to get them to the vet so he didn't even stop to swap contacts with the offending owners," Simmons said.
From there, Simmons said the dogs were taken for emergency vet care. Hunter was later taken to an ICU facility in Palmerston North but succumbed to his injuries on Monday.
"The damage was extensive - we knew it was going to be a big ask for him to pull through."
Simmons said while Millie's injuries were also "horrific", she is back at home and starting to recover
"It's an absolute nightmare scenario," said Simmons. "They're greatly loved like children, these dogs."
He said he now wants to ensure no dogs or owners suffer the same fate. Simmons said since posting about this dog attack story on social media many others had come forward with their stories.
People should be able to feel safe walking their dogs, he said, and urged other owners to be responsible.
Simmons said they were working with the Napier City Council (NCC) to find the offending dogs' owners.
A NCC spokesperson confirmed to Newshub its animal control team is aware of the attack and is appealing for any information.
"If anyone has any information about the owner of the dogs that attacked the chihuahuas, please contact NCC.
"The owner is described as a middle-aged male with a beard, slim build, 5ft 10' in height with his brown hair pulled up in a bun. This person was possibly driving a brown vehicle."
A review of the incident is underway and no decisions have been made about further action, the spokesperson said.
"Any person of any age who comes across an unrestrained dog should maintain a safe distance if possible and not touch it or interact with it in any way. Please call NCC if you see a stray dog in a public area.
"We would like to remind the public to report roaming dogs so we may have an opportunity to prevent incidents such as this. A reminder also to all dog owners to ensure their dogs are on a lead where required in public places at all times."
