Dogs need to be walked on leads during the coronavirus lockdown.

Dog attacks may be down during lockdown but anecdotal evidence suggests dogs have been "bursting covid bubbles" by going up to strangers while off lead.

The Invercargill City Council received 15 reports of dog attacks and menacing dog complaints during the first three weeks of lockdown.

​The complaints ranged from dogs rushing at people to dogs attacking people and attacking other dogs and cats.

The number of menacing dog complaints was 17 in the three weeks before lockdown began.

Council compliance team leader Elle Dickson indicated the figures did not tell the full story.

READ MORE:

* Coronavirus: Spike in dog attacks blamed on owners' Covid-19 pandemic fears

* Coronavirus: Dog attacks spike during lockdown, councils say

* Attack by two dogs on teen female investigated in Invercargill

Anecdotal evidence suggested an increased number of dogs off leashes and dogs "bursting bubbles" by running up to strangers during lockdown, she said.

"Members of the public are also commenting on an increase of dog faeces being left behind by owners," Dickson said.

"These anecdotal comments suggest that many people have a heightened awareness of physical distancing and wanting to maintain their bubbles - and rightly so."

She urged dog owners to keep their animals contained and under control so people could exercise without a dog bursting their bubble.

She encouraged the public to contact the animal services team if they had concerns about wandering dogs or dog attacks.

Invercargill dog owners Jon-Paul and Kylie Irvine walk their dog, Gold, every day during lockdown and had observed no bad behaviour by other dogs being exercised.

"Everyone seem to be doing the right thing ... they seem pretty chilled," Jon-Paul said.

They kept Gold muzzled on his walks to protect other dogs and the public.