The Western Bay of Plenty District Council animal services team is on the hunt for two dogs that have been roaming and attacking smaller animals in Maketu.

The attacks have taken place in the area around Williams Crescent, Rauporoa Road, Town Point Road and Beach Road.

The council is advising pet owners in the area to keep their animals inside until the dogs are found.

Compliance and monitoring manager Alison Curtis says there have been multiple attacks by the dogs, with the first reported as happening on January 17 between 3am and 4am.

'Others have been reported to the council as occurring since then on the 19th, 20th, 22nd and 23rd of January. These all occurred between 3am and 5am.”

She says all are currently under investigation, although information suggests it is the same dogs on each occasion.

'There has been very limited information available to the council to help ascertain the breed of the dogs and where they are coming from, due to the time of the attacks. Officers are working with the community to gather information to help identify the dogs.”

Animals that have been attacked and killed to date include cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs.

'All animals reported to the council in the attacks have been killed by the dogs.”

She says there has been limited information regarding the dogs' descriptions to date, although security camera footage has been provided showing dogs of medium to large size.