A Tauranga man whose American Pitbull terrier mastif-cross attacked a male relative who required hospital treatment for deep puncture wounds to right leg has been fined $500.
Thomas Tareha Taite, 47, pleaded guilty to a charge of being the owner of a dog which attacked a person and caused serious injury in Tauranga District Court today.
The charge relates to an attack on a 64-year-old man visiting Taite's Kairua Rd, property on March 30 this year.
Judge Barney Thomas ordered the dog to be destroyed and all of the $500 fine to be paid to the victim as an emotional harm payment.
