A 2-year-old child was bitten on the face by a dog while sitting in a pram in Nelson yesterday.
The child was waiting to be lifted into a car when the attack happened on Atawhai Cres north of the city about 5.30pm.
"Obviously the dog may present a danger to others in the community so any information that can help locate it is very important," the council said.
The dog is described as medium-sized, and brown with white on its face.
The council is particularly keen to speak to a person who was seen exercising two dogs in Corder Park around the time.
Emergency services treated the child for facial injuries.
Anyone with information is urged to call the council's dog control on (03) 546 0381.