Two Hawke's Bay women whose dogs mauled two people in separate attacks have been told they can't keep their remaining dogs.

Belinda Vearer and Kayla Bremner wanted Hastings District Council to overturn a decision which prevented them from owning dogs for up to five years.

Their appeal to keep two small terriers has been declined.

Two of the women's other dogs were involved in two vicious dog attacks on Whirinaki Beach last October.

The attacks put two women in hospital, and led to the pair being sentenced to community work and fined.

Hastings councillor Mick Lester said the appeal has been declined because the Dog Control Act doesn't allow conditions such as being able to keep small dogs.

Mr Lester said it was a very difficult decision, but they had to take into account the seriousness of what happened.

"I think the owners will be very upset and I feel for them, but as far as we were concerned as a committee, we had to do things according to the act, and there was just no room for us to move."

"We are all dog owners, we sympathize with the feelings that they have and what those dogs mean to them."