Elderly couple attacked by pit bull

The couple were walking their dog when they were attacked by the pit bull. Photo / iStock

An elderly couple have been attacked - and their pet Bichon dog killed - by a loose pit bull in Mt Maunganui this morning.

The couple, an 80-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man, were walking their dog in Grenada St, Arataki, when they were attacked by the pit bull.

The pit bull attacked the couple's dog and then attacked the man as he tried to separate them, police said in a statement.

Nearby people ran to assist the man and were able to restrain the pit bull using wire until police arrived, just after 9am.

The man received bites to his hands, and cuts and scratches to his legs from wrestling with the pit bull dog, but his injuries did not require hospital care.

The bichon dog was taken to the vets and will have to be put down as a result of the severe injures sustained, police said.

"The pit bull dog has been seized by animal control who are working in conjunction with police and are investigating this matter."

The dog is micro-chipped and animal control would be following up with the registered owner.