Auckland Airport officials say they had no option but to ask police to fatally shoot a dog on Friday morning after he ran from his handler and on to the tarmac.

The runaway airport service dog, called Grizz, was shot dead after he delayed more than a dozen flights.

Grizz the dog was shot dead at Auckland Airport. Credit:Facebook/Avsec

The airport earlier said the dog had been caught but later confirmed he had been fatally shot.

Airport spokeswoman Lisa Mulitalo said Grizz was only killed as a last resort.