Surgery needed after dog attack

Two dog attacks in the weekend have sparked further discussions about banning dangerous breeds. Photo / Thinkstock

A young girl has undergone reconstructive surgery in hospital after being mauled by a bull mastiff in Masterton on Saturday, one of two dog attacks over the weekend which have sparked debate over dog control laws.

The four-year-old was visiting family when the bull mastiff-pitbull cross became aggressive, pinned her to the ground and bit her face.

She was being supervised by an adult as she patted the dog, which had been a family pet for 10 years "without problem", said Acting Sergeant Tony Matheson of Masterton police.

She suffered extensive soft tissue damage around her face, which Mr Matheson described as "pretty nasty".

Masterton District Council dog controllers put down the dog with a lethal injection this morning, council chief executive Wes ten Hove said.

The dog's owner, a close family member, has been charged under the Dog Control Act with owning a dog which has caused injury. The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment, up to a $20,000 fine, or both.

The mastiff owner's husband yesterday said his niece had been near the dog and was told to "stay away because he's a bit stinky".

"Then, out of the blue, he just did it."

The toddler, who was pinned to the ground and bitten multiple times, suffered severe lacerations to both sides of her face and had multiple operations at Hutt Valley Hospital on Saturday night to reconstruct her face.

A hospital spokeswoman said she was now in a "satisfactory" condition.

Mr Hove said it was the worst dog incident that he could recall in 20-odd years in Masterton.

It highlighted a need for discussion around what breeds could be allowed into the country, he said.

"You can have a nice big green tag on your dog, but that doesn't make them any safer.

"We tend to focus on specific animals rather than on what type of breed they are."

"It's a tough situation and there needs to be a community discussion on what type of breeds are acceptable for our country. If we accept aggressive breeds of dogs, then we have to accept a degree of risk that goes with that."

Masterton Mayor Gary Daniell said he was shocked to hear about the attack and welcomed a renewed debate on dog control laws.

"There are obviously breeds which have been banned and that may well have to be extended.

"Personally I'm quite apprehensive about some of these bullterrier-type breeds."

There may be a need for a national edict on the extending of banned breeds, he said.

Meanwhile, a two year old girl is recovering in Whakatane Hospital after being bitten by a pitbull in Kawerau, eastern Bay of Plenty, on Saturday.

Acting Sergeant Ian Dodds of Kawerau police said she received a nasty facial laceration which appeared to be from a single bite.

Police are considering laying charges against the dog's owner, while the fate of the animal is to be decided by the Kawerau District Council.

Local Government Minister Rodney Hide has pledged to reform dog control laws before the November election in the wake of the latest attacks.

He said laws were failing to protecting the public.

The architect of current dog control, former local government minister Chris Carter, yesterday said he believed current laws were comprehensive.

His Dog Control Amendment Bill included measures such as microchipping all puppies, banning certain breeds, increasing dog control officers' abilities to enter properties and increasing fines.

Despite the latest attacks, Mr Carter remained confident the law was tough enough.

"I'm really sorry that these attacks occurred... if people can come up with suggestions that can improve what I thought was a very comprehensive package, and you can always make things better, then make those suggestions."

- NZPA, Wairarapa Times-Age