Eastern Waikato Police are crediting the sharp eyes of a member of the public in helping locate the owner of two dogs that fatally injured a seal in Tairua yesterday.

Senior Constable Matt Goodman says calls were received by a number of agencies, including Police, in relation to the incident which happened shortly after midday.

A seal was killed by two dogs at on the beach in Tairua's inner harbour.

'A small seal had been reported by joggers and walkers on the beach in Tairua's inner harbour in the morning, and the local Harbour Master had gone down to check it was okay," says Matt.

'Then about 12.20pm two pitbull-type dogs were seen to attack the seal, causing fatal injuries.”

The animals were seen being put into a car that drove off but a member of the public quickly relayed the vehicle's registration number to Police.

Matt says armed with that and other information it wasn't long before the vehicle owner was located by Police.

'This man has been spoken to by Police and was confirmed as being the dogs' owner.

'We are currently conducting an investigation in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and the Thames Coromandel District Council to determine what, if any, charges may result from the incident,” says Matt.

'This incident was obviously a traumatic one for a number of people who saw or who had interacted with the seal prior to the attack, and Police would like to remind dog owners of their responsibilities for their animals.”