The Invercargill City Council admits it has a problem with dangerous dogs, following a vicious dog attack on two women.
The two women were walking along a city street when two large mastiff-cross dogs attacked them.
A neighbour who fought off the dogs with a stick was being praised for saving two Invercargill women yesterday.
The Invercargill City Council said the severity of the attack was shocking and it would be exploring the legal options available.
Council spokesperson, John Youngson, said the council received 52 dog related complaints last year and increased animal services staff in October to handle them.
"Our impoundment rates are still high which indicates that there's still a high level of dogs out there still not under control."
He said the current bylaw was not clear enough and the council wants politicians to tighten the laws around keeping dogs.
The two dogs were now in the council's animal care facility.
The council said it would offer support to the victims of the attack.
