Scarborough police say they are searching for two pit bulls that mauled a Pomeranian puppy to death on Tuesday.

The dogs, owned by Joseph Bowser of 8 Burnham Road, have been missing since the attack, said Officer Michael Beeler.

Beeler said a juvenile at that address acknowledged that she had taken the dogs to an undisclosed location and dumped them there.

Beeler said police have the authority to take the dogs if found, but cannot force the owner to turn them over without the approval of the district attorney's office. Beeler said he contacted the DA's office today.

"There is no crime per se as far as the dogs attacking the other dog," Beeler said.

Bowser could not be reached by phone. A woman who picked up the phone at his home and identified herself as his mother said she thought he was in New York.

The incident took place at around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. A neighborhood girl was walking her 3-month-old Pomeranian past Bowser's home, when the two pit bulls ran out of the driveway, police said.

The girl picked up the puppy and moved to the other side of the street, headed toward her house.

The dogs caught up, and started jumping on the girl and biting the puppy. The girl dropped her dog to defend herself, police said.

The Pomeranian died on the scene, Beeler said. The girl was treated for minor injuries on the scene.

Beeler said the pit bulls could be destroyed if recovered.

Bowser, who has owned other pit bulls in the past, has been in trouble over his dogs before. There have been at least a dozen complaints to Scarborough police in the last several years, Beeler said.

Bowser was ordered by the court to keep one of his dogs on a short leash or in the yard, Beeler said.