A Canberra woman was trying to protect a man from her dog when the animal attacked and killed her, a report by the ACT coroner has found.

The report by Karen Fryar also found authorities had been warned about the animal prior to the death of Tania Klemke, 46, in October last year.

The attack began when the dog, a cross Staffordshire terrier pit bull named Simba, behaved aggressively towards a visitor to Ms Klemke's home, biting him on the thigh, according to the report.

When he tried to push the dog away using his bicycle, the man fell and the dog jumped on him.

Ms Klemke then pulled the dog away and told the man to lock himself in the laundry, but her pet turned on her and inflicted fatal injuries.

Police were called and used pepper spray and a taser in an attempt to stop the attack, before shooting the dog.

The coroner found Ms Klemke knew the dog was dangerous and used Simba for protection. ( Supplied )

Ms Fryar listed a number of previous incidents in which the dog behaved aggressively towards people before the fatal attack, including when he bit Ms Klemke's former boyfriend after he kicked a door.

On that occasion the dog was removed by authorities but was later returned home.

"There was a fracas in which Simba became protective of Ms Klemke and inflicted more injury," Ms Fryar said.

"Simba was only deterred after Ms Klemke was able to restrain him, but a neighbour first had to hit Simba in the head with a baseball bat."

Ms Fryar also noted a home invasion in March 2017 when Ms Klemke was assaulted and the dog's ear was cut off.

She said neighbours had also seen the dog roaming the streets on more than one occasion.

Ms Fryar said it was clear Ms Klemke knew the dog was dangerous and used him for self-protection, and that once the dog was agitated it was very difficult to deter him.

She noted the Domestic Animal Services were called several times, but no action was taken, and described laws in place at the time related to dangerous animals were not adequate.

Dog attacks in Canberra rose almost 25 per cent in the 12 months to July 2018, prompting the introduction of tougher laws in October.

Ms Fryar said it would take time to tell whether the new legislation would impact the rate of dog-to-person attacks in the ACT.