Killer dog owner jailed

Shane Rurehe was sentenced to 18 months in jail, with leave to apply for home detention. Photo / Stephen Parker

The Murupara man who owned the dogs which mauled Virginia Ohlson to death has been sentenced to 18 months in jail.

At his sentencing in the Rotorua District Court today, Shane Rurehe was also given leave to apply for home detention.

Virginia Ohlson died from trauma and shock after being attacked by Rurere's Pit Bull and Staffordshire cross dogs in April.

Newstalk ZB's reporter in court says the judge considered a sentence of 27 months appropriate, but reduced this because Rurehe had entered an early guilty plea and had a good record up until the incident.

The sentence was greeted with an outcry from members of Virginia Ohlson';s family.

- NEWTALK ZB