A Christchurch city councillor's concerned for children's safety, after being attacked by a dog near a school.

Aaron Keown was delivering council flyers in Bishopdale with his two-year-old child in a pram when he was bitten on the leg by a Pit Bull like dog yesterday.

He says the dog came racing out of a driveway.

"This type of dog, I don't know if it's exactly a pit bull, but it's a Staffy, Pit Bull kind of dog, and as soon as I saw it I thought that seems like the dog that gets involved in dog fights."

He believes it could have easily been able to attack a child or elderly person

Keown says the property's just 150-metres from a school, and he's warned the principal.

"When a dog can draw blood, or potentially go for a child's bones, they should not be on the streets. They shouldn't even be in our society."

However, a dog handler says Pitt Bulls aren't the problem, it's irresponsible owners.

Dogwatch Adoption Centre manager Pamela Howard says it's important dogs are contained and controlled by their owner

"Pit Bulls, whatever you like to call them, they aren't born crazy or evil or vicious. They are born innocent. What happens is that humans interfere and that's where things can get a bit skewed, if you like."

Howard would like to see potential dog owners have to apply for a licence, a call echoed by Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue director Abby Van der Plas.

She says we're too quick to jump to conclusions that a dog attack equals a Pitt Bull attack.

She says dog attacks happen all the time - and it's not a Pitt Bull specific problem.

"I challenge anyone when they get bit by the dog to determine the breed, especially if it's in a fleeting moment. In my opinion, this is a dog attack, not a Pit Bull attack."

Van der plas says the real problem is irresponsible dog owners. She believes it's too easy for people to go out and get a dog... and then ruin it.

"You've got sit a license to drive a car, you should have to sit a license to own a dog. Every Joe should not be able to own a dog. It is a privilege to own a dog, it's not a right."

Van der plas believes desexing should be compulsory regardless of the dog breed.