Jemma Powell, of Corstorphine, was taking her two-year-old cavalier King Charles spaniel Rufus for a walk on Saturday morning when the pair were spotted by what she described as an "American bulldog breed" in Sidey St.
"It was massive and white," Mrs Powell said.
"It came up to our dog to sniff it, and then out of the blue, it took Rufus in his mouth and started shaking it."
The dog was very muscular and was not wearing a collar, Mrs Powell said.
The incident carried on for nearly three minutes, during which time the dog bit her, she said.
Mrs Powell’s father, Jeff Russell, said a neighbour drove Mrs Powell and Rufus to the vet.
However, by the time they arrived, Rufus was dead.
The vet treated Mrs Powell’s injuries and then advised her to go the Urgent Doctors, Mr Russell said.
Mrs Powell said Rufus was just a "lovely dog".
"Dogs like Rufus are bred to be lapdogs, they are so friendly," she said.
"He was so full of energy."
Mr Russell said the family reported the incident to the Dunedin City Council dog control department yesterday.
"They’ve been extremely helpful," Mr Russell said.
The attack was witnessed by three neighbours, who also reported the incident to the council, he said.
"Something needs to be done about these types of breeds of dog; it seems like only the slightest thing can set them off," Mr Russell said.
Mrs Powell said the events had left her distraught.
"It’s just been such a harrowing weekend," she said.
"I don’t want this to happen to anyone else."
