The owner of four dogs which viciously attacked a 7-year-old Japanese girl in Murupara has admitted a criminal charge against him.
Gareth Clive Boyt, 35, pleaded guilty in the Rotorua District Court today to a charge under Section 58 of the Dog Control Act for owning four dogs that caused serious injury.
He was originally jointly charged with his wife, Charlotte Boyt, 31, but police withdrew the charge against her today.
After standing in the dock next to her husband she returned to the public gallery in tears where she was supported by family and friends.
Defence lawyer Bill Lawson entered a guilty plea on behalf of Gareth Boyt.
"He was the owner of the dogs at the time even though he did not have formal control of them, however the responsibility is attached to the owner," Mr Lawson said.
An application to discharge him without conviction would be made, the court heard.
In March this year, Sakurako Uehara was mauled by the four Staffordshire bull terrier-cross dogs at a property in Murupara.
After the attack, the dogs were put down.
Sakurako faces years of reconstructive surgery to repair extensive wounds to most of her body. She suffered more than 100 bites.
Judge David Ruth remanded Boyt at large to reappear in court on December 9 for the final determination of the case.