Police are hunting a man who allegedly kicked in the front teeth of a dog during a shocking altercation in Sydney’s city last night.

At about 10pm a woman was walking her two dogs – Sootie and Timmy – in The Rocks area.

She sat down at a bench on the corner of Argyle and Kent Streets and was approached by a man with a dog that began barking and growling.

Sootie reportedly growled back and the man intervened, allegedly kicking the dog in the face and knocking out its front row of teeth.

Following a verbal confrontation, the man grabbed the woman’s phone and threw it on the ground, stomping on it before walking away.

The woman went to The Rocks Police Station to report the incident and an image of the man has now been released to the public.

He’s described as Caucasian, aged in his 60s, about 170cm tall, with a medium build and with grey hair.

He was wearing black clothing at the time of the incident.

Police will address the media at 1pm… any witnesses, or anyone who recognises the man, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000