"The police basically said they wouldn't be able to do much if witnesses didn't come forward, and obviously they haven't," the woman said.
The owner had told her that if his dogs got out they would attack her and her dog, she said. He had then opened a gate to release one of his dogs. Once the attack began he no longer had control over his dog, which only desisted when a woman squirted water up its nostrils.
"People in Kaitaia have told me that the police have said they can't do anything unless people give them information, then when they do report something nothing happens," she said.
"I came home thinking 'Poor Kaitaia.' There's a dangerous dog in your town and no one is doing anything about it."
Laying charges could actually have benefited the owner, she added, in that he might have received help for his anger problem. The lack of response didn't help him, or potential future victims.
Meanwhile her dog had suffered 10 bite wounds to his left leg, from paw to armpit, one on the nose, and severe muscle and ligament damage. There would be on-going vet bills, and the terrier was not yet out of the woods.
"Remember, this wasn't a fight between two dogs. This was a mauling. Jack didn't have a chance to defend himself," she said.
