Police are calling on the public to help identify the pitbull terrier dog that attacked and killed another dog in Gisborne this morning

The owners of an 11-year-old King Charles Spaniel were walking her near the corner of Frances Street and Moana Road around 8:35 when she was attacked by the tan coloured pitbull.

A passing Police officer intervened in the attack by using pepper spray on the pitbull, but its owner took off.

The pitbull's owner is described as a Maori or Pacific woman in her 40s wearing black sunglasses, a grey hoodie and black pants.