A Dartmouth dog owner whose pit bull killed another dog earlier this week has been charged with three offences under the city's new animal control bylaw, which carry stiff fines.

Rachelle Coward says her four-year-old Pomeranian, named Diamond, was killed by an American Staffordshire Terrier that charged into her apartment Monday.

Coward said the pit bull cornered Diamond, then grabbed the small dog in its jaws and took it outside. Coward said her mother used a ladle to defend them as Coward retrieved Diamond's lifeless body from the attacking animal.

Diamond died earlier this week after being attacked, owner Rachelle Coward says. (Submitted by Rachelle Coward)

Brendan Elliott, a spokesperson for the Halifax Regional Municipality, said the pit bull owner has been charged with a dog attack, running at large and having an unlicensed dog.

The minimum fine for a dog attack is $300 and carries a maximum of $5,000. If unpaid, the owner could go to jail for up to 60 days.

A new animal control bylaw came into force last month, which increased minimum fines.

The owner is scheduled to appear in Dartmouth provincial court on Jan. 7.

Elliott said the fate of the dog that attacked will be up to the judge. Under the city's bylaw, the owner could be forced to muzzle it whenever it's off its owner's property, or it could be euthanized.

Elliott said the owner had adopted the dog from Homeward Bound shelter in Dartmouth after someone had found it and dropped it off. Following the attack, the dog has been returned to the shelter.