Rotorua: Dog that attacked two police officers held in pound, investigations continue

A dog that attacked two police officers is being held at the Rotorua pound. Photo / Andrew Warner

A dog that attacked two police officers, leaving one needing surgery, is being held at the Rotorua pound as the incident is investigated.

An officer was attacked at an Old Taupō Rd property about 9.10am on Friday, police said.

A second officer tried to stop the attack and was also injured.

A Rotorua Lakes Council spokesperson said today the dog was at the pound while police completed their investigation.

Police had been at the property to locate a person of interest who had a warrant out for his arrest.

Police said the man was taken into custody and charged with resisting arrest.

The 22-year-old was scheduled to next appear in the Rotorua District Court on October 7.

Asked if police were considering further charges under the Dog Control Act relating to the attack, a police spokesperson said none had been laid “at this stage”.

Police have said one officer required surgery and was “recovering well”.

“The other officer involved was treated for dog bite injuries but is also recovering well at home, and did not sustain serious injuries.”

Bay of Plenty district commander Superintendent Tim Anderson earlier praised the officers’ courage.

“After any injury sustained in the line of duty, police will debrief and look at how we can prevent this in the future.”

The mother of the man arrested previously told the Herald the ordeal left her distressed and heartbroken about the fate of the family dog.

Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.