It happened around 9:15 p.m. on Cleveland Avenue and Roselle Street in Linden, where police officers on patrol spotted the small dog being mauled.
The officers intervened to stop the attack, and authorities said the larger dogs ran from the scene.
The Shih Tzu sustained significant injuries to its leg as a result of the attack. It was taken to an emergency veterinary hospital by the owner and unfortunately was later euthanized due to the extent of the injuries.
The attacking dogs were secured a few blocks away.
The owner of those dogs has since come forward and is cooperating with the investigation.
The dogs are currently on a 10-day hold at the Newark Humane Society, at the conclusion of which a determination will be made about their future.
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