A New Zealand toddler is too scared to go outside after she was mauled by a savage pit bull outside her own home.

Two-year-old Amelia-Jayne Johnson was helping her mum Keri Morphus collect mail from the letterbox at their home in the Christchurch suburb of Shirley on Wednesday while a woman was delivering pamphlets.

The little girl knew the woman's black labrador and began playing with the dog.

The woman also had another dog with her believed to be a Staffordshire-cross, which the family hadn't seen before.

A two-year-old girl suffered shocking facial injuries after she was mauled by what's believed to be a Staffordshire-cross (stock image)

Things suddenly went horribly wrong when the other dog threw Amelia-Jayne on the ground and bit her face.

'I was scared, I couldn't stop shaking, there was just so much blood gashing out. I tried to grab the dog off her, but it just wouldn't go,' Ms Morphus told Stuff.

Amelia-Jayne was taken to hospital suffering facial injuries, including a broken tooth and cuts to her eye, nose, mouth and cheek.

The little girl underwent surgery on Wednesday night and was allowed to go home the next day.

Ms Morphus and her partner Ben Johnson said Amelia-Jayne has suffered nightmares since the vicious attack.

The dog attack happened in Quinns Road (pictured) in the Christchurch suburb of Shirley

The little girl is so traumatised by the horrifying ordeal that's she's also now scared of toy dogs.

'She won't let any of us go outside,' Ms Morphus told Stuff.

'It's heartbreaking. No two-year-old should have to go through that.'

While the dog owner has tried to make amends with the family, Amelia-Jayne's parents have demanded answers and want the dog put down before someone else is attacked.

The dog attack is now being investigated by Christchurch Council (pictured)

'It could've been a lot worse for her, but if the dog was going to be put down, at least it would put our mind at rest – that it's not going to attack anyone else and and cause further damage,' Mr Johnson said.

A Christchurch Council spokeswoman said an investigation is underway.