A police officer shot dead an aggressive dog which was savagely attacking a woman in New Plymouth this morning.
Neighbours called police after seeing the woman being attacked in the backyard of her home about 9.30am.
The dog, believed to be one of the woman's three dogs, was still attacking the woman when two police officers arrived.
"She had already sustained substantial bite marks to her arms, legs and face," acting Taranaki area commander Detective Inspector Keith Borrell said.
"To prevent further harm to the woman, one of the officers took immediate action and discharged a single shot at the dog from a police issue firearm, killing it instantly.