The ranger was called to a house in Lee Street about 3.20pm after the council received calls from residents about ‘‘three known aggressive dogs roaming free’’, a council statement said.

Two council officers were sent to investigate and one, a 46-year-old man, was attacked.

Lake Illawarra police said the victim sustained bites to his legs, arms and stomach and was taken to Wollongong Hospital by ambulance.

A Lee Street resident, who did not want to be named, said neighbours had called the council because they were worried about the safety of schoolchildren who were walking home from nearby primary and high schools.

‘‘The dogs have been getting out a little bit lately, and they are quite vicious,’’ the resident said.

‘‘They were roaming the street right near home time.

‘‘In a way it’s lucky that it wasn’t a child who was attacked because they could have been killed.’’

The council said the dogs were known to be aggressive after other similar reports.

The animals were seized and taken to the RSPCA