Two dogs were shot and killed after they attacked a man and woman in Ottawa's east end end Saturday morning, according to first responders.

Police said they were called to the area bordered by 10th Line Road, Tompkins Avenue, Des Epinettes Avenue and Duford Road around 11:15 a.m. where the two large dogs were reportedly loose.

"There was a lot of commotion. We opened the door, heard a lot of horns honking and people shouting," said witness Steve Outhouse. "We saw other neighbours coming out with this look of horror on their face."

As he walked towards the end of the street he said he saw the two dogs repeatedly attacking a man on the ground.

Steve Outhouse saw two dogs attack someone at the end of his Orléans street. <a href="https://t.co/8eJ8fG4D1W">https://t.co/8eJ8fG4D1W</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ottnews?src=hash">#ottnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/CN3ioCDNK8">pic.twitter.com/CN3ioCDNK8</a> —@amkfoote

Victims in stable condition

"The dogs were going in, they were biting, they were shaking the person. The person on the ground was very bloodied…[The dogs] were just relentless," he said.

"It was very scary. This isn't an individual that you can try and rationalize with. I mean, these dogs were just going at this individual."

Outhouse said people used brooms, sticks and shovels to pry the victims free. At one point one of the dogs turned towards a man holding a shovel, he said.

"We all kind of shouted, 'You have to do it.' He took the shovel and took a swing at the dog and hit it," described Outhouse.

Around that point the two dogs split in different directions.

The Ottawa Paramedic Service were able to get in and treat a 25-year-old woman who had severe lacerations to both upper arms. She also had lacerations on her head, face, back and buttocks.

Paramedics said the 66-year-old man, who tried to help the woman, had lacerations on his left knee.

Both patients are in stable condition, report paramedics.

Owners unknown

Outhouse said he hopped in his minivan and followed one of the dogs to let 911 know where it was.

"The dog kept going on people's doorsteps," he said. "It was still very active."

Police eventually shot and killed both dogs in separate locations.

Outhouse commends the police for their quick action, especially because the neighbourhood is filled with children, including his own two daughters.

On Saturday afternoon police still didn't know who the dogs belonged to or where they came from.

One officer said they believe the dogs were pit bulls, but they're investigating to know for sure.

Police initially reported that a child was also hurt, but they no longer believe that to be true.

Any victims are asked to contact police by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or by downloading the Ottawa Police app.

Less than a month ago a 50-year-old woman was rushed to hospital in critical condition after being mauled by a dog in the city's Vanier neighbourhood.