Pit bull dog behind bars after attack

A pit bull has been locked away after it attacked a woman who was walking past its residence.

A pit bull dog remains locked in the pound after it attacked a woman and left puncture wounds in her legs.

The 34-year-old woman was walking along Malfroy Rd when the unrestrained dog jumped the fence of a property and attacked her.

Rotorua Lakes Council animal control officers and police were called to the incident on Friday afternoon.

Council manager of compliance solutions Neven Hill said the victim was taken to Rotorua Hospital for treatment to her injuries. She was released later that day.

"The dog's owner, who had left the vicinity with his dog soon after the attack, was later located by our officers and the dog was handed over to them. The man was a visitor to Rotorua from out of town, and his dog wasn't registered," Mr Hill said.

"We are currently in contact with both the dog owner and the victim to determine our next course of action. In the meantime, the dog remains in custody at the council pound."

Mr Hill said the council's options included the pit bull being 'surrendered' by the owner with an agreement to be put down. The owner could also face a $300 fine for having an unregistered dog and a $750 fine for obstruction.

"However if a decision was made to mount a formal prosecution through the the courts, a conviction could result in a fine of up to $20,000 along with a court order for the dog to be destroyed," Mr Hill said.