Todd Douglas' bulldog Mud was shot by police while searching for a wanted man on his property.

A Nelson man is "more angry than he can explain" after police shot his American bulldog, Mud, while carrying out a search on their property.

The incident happened on Friday afternoon in the Moutere Valley, west of Nelson, when police and the armed offenders squad were searching for a wanted man.

After police left the property, the family were told Mud had been shot and killed during the search.

Todd Douglas The bullet shells from the rounds fired at Todd Douglas' dog Mud, which was killed by police in a search for a wanted man in the Moutere Valley.

Dog owner Todd Douglas said the search came without warning, and police were at the wrong address.

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"We were at home Friday afternoon, I was fixing my bike and next thing had rifles pointed at me."

Douglas said the police took him and his family away from the property, where they searched for three hours.

"We told them many times about our dogs ... we told them no one was there and that we were scared for the safety of our animals.

"It wasn't until everyone had left they told us they had shot our dog."

A police spokesperson said the wanted man, who had committed violent offences and was believed to have access to firearms, was not found at the property.

The spokesperson said while two other dogs at the property were secured by police, a third was found while another building was being cleared.

After attacking a police dog, which was unharmed by the incident, the dog at the property was shot and killed.

Douglas said he was devastated and "more angry than I can explain" over the shooting.

He said police had yet to respond to any of his questions, and that the search warrant obtained was for the neighbouring property and did not include his.

The police spokesperson said it was a "rare occurrence" for police to shoot an animal.

"We don't want to be shooting or injuring dogs, or anyone, however the actions of our staff are driven by the need to protect their own safety, that of our police dogs, and of members of the public."

"The decision to use a firearm is never taken lightly by frontline staff, who must make quick decisions in dynamic and ever-changing situations."