Five children in New Zealand were bitten after stray dogs chased and attacked them at school.

Three Kings Primary in Auckland was put in lockdown following the attacks on Thursday.

School principal Jo Willmoth told Stuff website two dogs came onto the school field at lunchtime.

“Some of the children were chased and the dogs nipped them.”

The mother of one child who was attacked described it on Facebook as “more than just a nip, but our staunch little boy was terrified and utterly distraught.”

The children received puncture and surface wounds to their legs, arms and buttocks and were treated by St John ambulance staff.

The dogs, a black labrador cross and a German shepherd/staffordshire bull terrier cross, were found two hours after the incident by animal management officers.

They were impounded and their owner was being interviewed.