The Glen Innes local, walking with her two very young children and 12 week old dog Nanuq, was metres from home on the afternoon of Sunday June 16.

The big cross immediately went for Nanuq.

The attack didn't kill the pet, but it has cost them a $4000 health bill. And now Laura and husband Daniel Hayden are warning others of the financial as well as emotional risk of dangerous dogs.

They're also calling on state and local governments to strengthen their power to force pet owners to make restitution.

The attack took just seconds.

"I just heard this noise just out of earshot, and by the time I'd looked up this dog had come through a locked screen door," she said.

The 35 kilogram animal just busted through the lock.

"By the time I'd got to my eldest daughter this dog had a hold of my pup. She grabbed him by the front leg, Nanook flipped over; didn't try to attack it.

"And then it grabbed it by the back leg and it just shook him."

Her 10 year old daughter tried to get the attacking animal away, but Laura told her not to get involved - they both ran inside with her other child and other dog.

It's the second attack in Glen Innes since May. Leanne Knox was left hospitalised by a recent horror dog attack near the racecourse.

Daniel and Laura credit incredibly quick action by the local vet with saving Nanuq, with Hannah and Matt Pope arriving within 15 minutes on a Sunday. They also commended the hard work town rangers and said they "can't thank council enough".

But Nanuq has had to have two operations and is still confined to a cage for her own good.

And they've been left with the entire $4000 medical bill and say councils do not have sufficient power to require an owner to make restitution. Because the dog attacked a their "personal property" rather than a person, a different set of rules are in force - the biggest lasting consequence is a six month dangerous dog order.

They can sue, but even if their claim is successful, the legal costs might outweigh the financial benefits.

Daniel Hayden said he wants a change in the law to make it easier for councils to help animal owners who endure an attack by another person's animal.

He said pet insurance will often cover the cost of medical bills, but they hadn't owned their dog for the minimum three month period. He also warns other pet owners of the obligations of responsible pet ownership.

The emotional blow continues as well.

"My girls aren't wanting to go for walks any more; my eldest refuses to walk past that particular house now," said Laura.

Director of Development, Regulatory and Sustainability Services Graham Price said councils do not have powers beyond punitive authority to keep the community safe. He said the powers are established in state government law.