Owner of dog which attacked another at Kowhai Park to be prosecuted

Alfie the Jack Russell had another operation on Friday after being attacked by a dog on October 27.

Whanganui District Council will prosecute the owner of a dog that attacked a Jack Russell terrier on the Kowhai Park walkway on October 27.

Compliance team leader Warrick Zander said the attacking dog, a pitbull cross, remained impounded and a prosecution against the owner was being prepared.

The dog attacked Alfie, the Jack Russell, while he was walking off-lead on the Kowhai Park riverbank walkway, one of the council's off-lead dog exercise areas. Alfie's owner fought the attacking dog after it clamped down on Alfie and inflicted major injuries, eventually managing to release him from the dog's jaws.

On Friday, November 3, Alfie underwent further surgery to remove flesh and skin that had become infected, take out drains and restitch a reopened wound. His owner said the dog was "crying and utterly terrified" when she left him at the vet.

"Hopefully by publishing these stories we can raise public awareness of dog aggression in public places and help prevent it from become a larger issue," she said.

Whanganui woman Viv Millward had offered the assistance of her dog Mertz to help rehabilitate Alfie; however, Alfie's owner is on the move out of Whanganui to a new job so was unable to take up the offer.

Mrs Millward said Mertz is a very gentle dog who has in the past helped rehabilitate a dog that was attacked at Castlecliff Beach.

"Mertz encouraged this dog to come out of its shell and enjoy the beach again with its owner," she said.

"It's so tragic these dog attacks. It would be good to see a real community drive to put an end to them, particularly with summer coming and people getting out more."

Mr Zander said the council is continuing to investigate an incident at Castlecliff Beach on October 29 where a man was attacked by a mastiff cross while walking on the beach. The dog believed to be responsible for the attack is in the pound.