A Dunedin City Council investigation concluded the attack happened when dog Buddy was wandering loose and squeezed under a closed gate into an enclosed yard.
Buddy's owners reject that finding, saying the gate to the property was left open and the two dogs rushed out and attacked late on the morning of June 12.
John Dickson and his partner, Sharron Baillie, were distraught.
Mr Dickson fought back tears as he talked about his 11-year-old terrier.
''He was just with me all the time ... I'm an old man ... but this has bloody got me, it's terrible.
"He was getting to be an old dog but I was hoping for a few more years with him."
Mr Dickson took Buddy to the vet, where his extensive wounds were operated on, but after six days he had to be put down.
Mr Dickson's partner Sharron Baillie was also distraught, while their Tidewater Dr neighbours have penned a five-verse poetic tribute to Buddy.
"It's just not going to be the same without our Bud,'' Ms Baillie said.
Harwood woman Danielle De Vinck said her dog, Bug, and her granddaughter's dog, Scruff, were in her yard when she heard a commotion.
''He came under the gate. The little dog came here trying to get the food.''
She went to investigate and saw Scruff and Bug attacking Buddy.
Dunedin City Council compliance solutions manager Ros MacGill said an investigation found Buddy was wandering alone.
''Because the fox terrier was out wandering and entered an enclosed property, no further action will be taken.''
Under the Dog Control Act, it was the owner's responsibility to ensure their dog was under control or confined to their property.
''The owners of the dogs on the property did everything reasonably possible to prevent the attack. The property is fenced and therefore the dogs were under control on the property.''
While one of the two dogs was involved an incident in 2017, it was ''well managed'' and there had been no further issues and neither was classified as menacing, Ms MacGill said.
Mr Dickson said he was walking his dog without a lead, but maintained the gate was open and the dogs rushed out to attack, saying he had a witness to prove it.
Ms MacGill said witnesses spoken to by the council gave no cause to believe the gate was open.
