A PSNI officer shot two pit bull terriers dead after they attacked a woman and killed her dog. It is understood as many as 16 rounds were fired to kill the dogs.
The pet collie and its female owner were attacked on the upper Suffolk Road, in the Woodburn area of west Belfast, shortly after 2pm on Sunday.
The woman escaped unhurt but a passer-by sustained hand injuries when he went to her aid.
Stephen Philpott, chief executive of the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said: "It is only a matter of time before a child is attacked and seriously, seriously injured, if not killed, by these dogs. These dogs were outlawed in 1976."
A police spokeswoman said: "The office of the Police Ombudsman [Nuala O'Loan] has been contacted, as is normal procedure when shots are discharged by a police officer." - (PA)