Murupara dog attack: Owners named

Sakurako Uehara

The alleged owners of four dogs that attacked a 7-year-old girl in Murupara can finally be named.

Charlotte Boyt, 31, and Gareth Clive Boyt, 35, both of Murupara, appeared in the Rotorua District Court this morning. They are charged with owning a dog which causes serious injury, an offence under Section 58 of the Dog Control Act.

Japanese girl Sakurako Uehara was mauled by four Staffordshire bull terrier-cross dogs on March 3. She remains in a serious but stable condition in Middlemore Hospital.

The accused pair were supported by a large crowd in the public gallery and held hands throughout this morning's appearance.

Following the attack, the dogs were put down.

Sakurako faces years of reconstructive surgery to repair extensive wounds to most of her body.

She suffered more than 100 bites to her face, limbs and almost every part of her body.

The pair were remanded at large without plea until May 7.