Victorian police are searching for a man who told a 12-year-old girl to "come with me" after kissing her on the cheek while she was walking her dog at Corio, near Geelong.

Investigators said the attempted abduction happened on Purnell Road about 1:30pm on Monday.

The girl was walking her dog near the intersection of Cheshire Street when the man approached and patted the pet.

He then placed his hand on the child's shoulder, kissed her and said "come with me" as he tried to make her walk away with him, police said.

The girl managed to free herself and ran to a nearby school where she sought help from a staff member.

Police released an image of a man they want to question.

He was described as being between 50 and 70 years old, unshaven, with tanned skin, short white hair and a heavy European accent.

Investigators urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.