This is the moment a quick-thinking woman hoists her tiny dog up by its lead to save it from a pit bull that had jumped out of a car to attack it.

The incident took place in Joinville, in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, on the evening of Thursday, October 31.

Footage shows three young women walking along a pavement with a small pooch when suddenly a car stops in traffic, and a pit bull jumps out of an open window and runs at the dog.

The woman walking her small canine on a lead quickly lifts the dog into the air, pins it against a wall, and positions herself between it and the pit bull.

It attempts to jump up and bite the small canine, but the woman raises it higher above her head.

Eventually, the pit bull's owner gets out of his car and chases after his dog, which then appears to get back in the vehicle as the footage ends.

Local media reported that the incident caused no injuries but noted that under Brazilian law, animals must be transported in the back seat of vehicles, secured with a seat belt, or in a carrier.

It remains unclear if the police are investigating the incident.