A small dog has been put down after it was attacked and bitten by another dog in Dartmouth Monday night.

Police say a woman was walking her Jack Russell terrier near Eric Graves Memorial Junior High School on Dorothea Drive just before 6 p.m.

A woman and two men were also walking two dogs in the area – one dog was on a leash and the second was not.

Police say their investigation is in the early stages, but it appears the dog that was off its leash began fighting with the smaller dog and overpowered it. The small dog ran away, but it suffered a bit in the attack.

It was taken to the veterinarian but had to be euthanized because of its injuries.

Police are now trying to track down the woman and two men who were walking the two dogs. Animal Services officers are going door-to-door in the neighbourhood looking for information.

The dog involved in the attack is described as red and short-haired, similar in appearance to a pit bull. The second dog that was on a leash – and was not involved in the attack – is described as a black dog that also looks like a pit bull.

Police say the woman who was walking the dogs is roughly 25 years old with shoulder-length blonde hair. She is around five-foot-four and wears glasses.

The two men who were walking with her are described as white males in their mid to late 20s.

One has short, dark hair and tattoos on his right arm. He was wearing a white T-shirt and a black baseball cap at the time of the incident. The second man has dark, curly hair.

This is the second fatal dog attack to happen in Dartmouth this year.