A bomb-sniffing dog at a New Zealand airport was shot dead by police Friday after it got loose on the airfield – sparking mass outrage that the canine was killed for no reason.

The adorable black and white dog, named Grizz, who worked at Auckland Airport, got spooked on the job and ran away from his handler around 4 a.m.

His escape caused delays to 16 flights as pilots refused to put passenger safety at risk by taking off with the dog on the run.

Airport staff spent three hours trying to catch Grizz to no avail and decided to shoot the dog dead as a last resort, a spokeswoman told Fairfax New Zealand.

“They did everything they could but unfortunately the dog had to be shot,” said Lisa Mulitalo. “We’re really upset about it.”

Auckland Airport tweeted: “Unfortunately an Aviation Security dog was shot this morn @AKL_Airport staff had tried for 3 hours to catch it our thoughts are with handler.”

But the explanation wasn’t acceptable to animal lovers who were horrified that police didn’t use non-lethal means to catch Grizz.

“So killing a 10 month old puppy is justifiable as staff are incapable of catching it or using tranquilizers? Shame on you!” tweeted user B247E.

Carolyn Deuchar slammed the shooting as being cost-driven.

“So the dog died? If so the dog died so commercial airlines could avoid expensive delay costs. Absolutely shameful decision,” she tweeted.

Auckland’s Facebook page was also flooded with complaints.

“Even a third world country won’t treat an animal like the way these murderers did at Auckland airport,” wrote Anita Beer. “They should be charged for animal cruelty or worse. YOU SHOT AN INNOCENT ANIMAL. Go to jail bloody killers! Rot in HELL!”