A pet took the brunt of a vicious attack that was aimed at its masters, after an armed gang terrified a Southampton home late on Sunday.

Police said the injuries to the three-year-old dog ? named Cess-pit ? were not believed to be life-threatening, despite receiving machete blows to the face.

The dog's attackers arrived at a Railway Trail, Southampton home in two vehicles at around 11.20 p.m. Police said yesterday.

"Several individuals got out of the vehicles brandishing machetes as well as other blunt-edged weapons and proceeded towards the lower apartment, which was occupied by several young men and women," Police said. "The group brandishing the weapons demanded that the occupants of the apartment come outside, before damaging a bathroom window and injuring a pit-bull terrier which was tied up in the backyard."

However, Police said the only reason a person was not injured during the disturbance was because no one left the apartment.

After terrifying the home for an undisclosed amount of time the suspects escaped, Police said.

"The dog was taken away by the Government veterinarian for treatment," it said.

Police said inquiries into this incident are underway.