Dog involved in attack destroyed

The girl was rushed to hospital in a St John Ambulance after a dog attack.

A family dog that attacked a 4-year-old girl has been destroyed and the owners now face fines totalling $600.

The girl has suffered serious facial injuries after being attacked by the pitbull shar pei cross on January 25 at a Kauri property.

The family immediately surrendered the dog to animal control officers and the girl was taken to Whangarei Hospital where she received surgery. She stayed on a ward for two days recuperating and has been released.

Whangarei District Council regulatory services manager Grant Couchman said the dog had been surrendered for destruction and that had been completed.

The owners were issued with infringement notices for non-registration of a dog - a $300 fine, and for non-chipping of the animal, also $300.

"For an attack of this nature generally the family would be distraught that the family pet could inflict such injuries and they want the animal to be put down," Mr Couchman said.

"It's pretty tragic for everyone involved. They could probably never live with the animal again even if they loved it dearly."

All dogs are required to be registered by law under the Dog Control Act.

"It puts in place a system to ensure the public is safe from dangerous dogs," Mr Couchman said.