Teen and 10-year-old in hospital after dog attacks in Waikato

A teenager and a 10-year-old have been taken to hospital after two separate dog attacks in Waikato, in the same week as calls were made to toughen up legislation for canine owners.

Fairfax reported a 16-year-old was mauled by a dog in Tokoroa yesterday afternoon, leaving him with wounds to his ankles, legs and arms.

The teen was taken to Tokoroa Hospital after being attacked by what is thought to be a pit bull-boxer cross that was unregistered and not microchipped.

The 3-year-old dog was impounded and will be euthanised tomorrow, it was reported.

South Waikato District Council compliance officer Kerry Beckett told Fairfax a group of school kids was hanging around an unoccupied house and got into an altercation with the dog owner, who told the teens to leave the property.

The dog then jumped over a pallet and chased the teens, latching on to one, with some suggestion the dog owner had set his animal on to the group.

The attack happened the same day as animal behavioural expert Prof Kevin Stafford, of Massey University, called for owners of dogs that attack to be charged with assault and even manslaughter if the result is deadly.

"It is nonsensical that a dog can kill a person in New Zealand and the owner may be charged under the Dog Control Act for not having control of the dog," he said.

Fairfax also reported that a 10-year-old boy was taken to hospital after he was wounded by a dog in Waihi on Wednesday.

On Tuesday night, a heavily pregnant woman was attacked by a dog in Christchurch.

Animal management officers there have not been able to speak to the victim at this stage. She is still in hospital and has asked for some space before making a statement.

Officers will get statements from witnesses and the dog owner over the next couple of days, it was confirmed today.

And on Saturday, Darnell Minarapa-Brown, 7, was attacked by his uncle's dog in Auckland, leaving him needing more than 100 facial stitches. The dog was euthanised.