Mum's message to dog owners after attack

Four-year-old Sharika Elliott, right, with her brave brother Romeo, 5, who tried to save her from a dog attack. PHOTO/PETER DE GRAAF

A Northland mum is urging dog owners to keep their pets under control at all times after her 4-year-old daughter was attacked while playing outside.

Janie Witehira-Elliott was in her kitchen on Waipapa's Mawson Ave on Wednesday afternoon when she heard a terrible scream.

She ran outside and saw her daughter, Sharika, on the ground near their letterbox with a large dog standing over her. Her 5-year-old brother, Romeo, was trying to get the dog off her.

Sharika suffered scratches to her face and arms and a blood nose. She was checked at Bay of Islands Hospital as a precaution.

Mrs Witehira-Elliott said her daughter was shaking and unable to sleep until 1am.

"It's a parent's worst nightmare to see an animal over their child," she said.

What hurt was that none of the neighbours came out to see what was happening or check if it was their dog involved.

Sharika loved animals but now clung to her parents whenever she saw a dog similar to the one that attacked her.

Mrs Witehira-Elliott called on dog owners to keep their pets under control, and make sure they knew where they were, at all times. That was especially important on a street like Mawson Ave where lots of children lived.

"If you can't feel safe in your own street what's the point having animals?"

Her partner, Benjamin Elliott, also urged dog owners to make sure their animals were properly trained and socialised. He believed the dog involved was a pitbull-bull mastiff cross or similar.

Mrs Witehira-Elliott phoned police and the Far North District Council on Wednesday evening. Animal control officers arrived on Thursday morning and took statements.

The Mawson Ave dog, along with a dog that attacked a 94-year-old and his pet near Kerikeri Domain 10 days earlier, are now in the council dog pound. Their fate has yet to be determined.