Apology for stranded pregnant Kiwis during lockdown, fourth Covid vaccine dose passes into law and trains in the UK grind to a halt with strike action in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald
Warning: This story contains a graphic image.
A Tauranga veterinary surgeon has recounted the moment a large Rottweiler lunged to grasp her arm - a bloody attack that left her with injuries so serious she required a three-hour surgery.
The dog's owner, Helen Tina Fraser, is today on trial in the Tauranga District Court facing a charge of owning a dog causing injury laid by Tauranga City Council.A group of Fraser's supporters gathered outside the court, some with their dogs, ahead of the trial's start.
The animal, a 2-year-old Rottweiler named Chopper, has been held at the council's pound since the attack on October 14 last year.
The trial is a matter of life and death for the family pet; if Fraser is convicted, the destruction of the dog must be ordered by the Judge, unless "exceptional circumstances" can be proved.
Fraser has consistently denied her actions were responsible for the attack. Her defence rests on the claim that the vet was responsible for the attack.
Prosecutor Nathan Spier told the court the legal test was whether or not Fraser took "all reasonable steps" to prevent the attack.
The first witness to take the stand on Tuesday was veterinary surgeon Dr Liza Schneider, who described the "devastating" impacts of the attack.
Chopper was that day scheduled for de-sexing surgery. According to her evidence, the practice had arranged with Fraser for the 65kg dog to wait inside the car, so Schneider could briefly examine the animal without the risk of it absconding or attacking another person or patient.
Having the animal wait in the car would have allowed Schneider to inject a sedative before bringing the animal into the practice, if she deemed it necessary.
"This animal was identified as a risk to safety," the vet of 22 years explained.
Around 25 supporters gathered outside court on Tuesday - many with signs and some with their own dogs. Photo / Ethan Griffiths
But instead, Schneider walked out of the practice to find a leashed Chopper standing next to the car, held by Fraser's young son.
Within seconds, the dog lunged at Schneider while she was standing "around two metres away". Its jaw remained fastened to her arm for around 10 to 15 seconds.
"I couldn't get my arm away, but I managed to wriggle out," she said. "I imagine he was going for my head or neck, but I put my arm up."
Schneider, who was wearing a puffer jacket, suffered a broken ulna, deep puncture wounds, and muscle and nerve damage. She underwent surgery where a plate and six screws were installed in her arm.
She told the court she still experiences pain today.
The consequences of the attack were vast, Schneider said. The practice was already short-staffed prior to the attack, and Schneider is still limited in the work she can do.
Tauranga Holistic Vets founder Dr Lisa Schneider suffered a fractured ulna and deep wounds as a result of the attack. Photo / Supplied
"I was unable to stop working to allow my arm time to heal."
During cross-examination, Fraser's lawyer James Carter said if there were serious concerns about the risk the animal posed, Schneider could have placed Chopper back in the vehicle, or considered the use of a muzzle, he said.
Schneider said muzzles were typically considered after the initial consultation. That was based on her view that muzzles often agitate dogs further.
Another witness, vet nurse Catherine Phipps, was working in the clinic at the time of the attack. She did not witness the bite but was present in the immediate aftermath.
"I heard another vet nurse say 'what the hell' and saw Liza coming in cradling her arm."
"Lots of blood was streaming out, there was blood everywhere."
Tauranga woman Helen Fraser is on trial in the Tauranga District Court, charged with owning a dog causing injury. Photo / Ethan Griffiths
Another witness, a vet at the practice, said she ran to her window when she heard Schneider yelling for help from the car park.
"I shot up out of my chair and saw a large male Rottweiler latched to her right forearm."
Fraser also gave evidence, denying that she was ever asked to keep the animal in the car.
"The plan was to take him around the back and put him in a crate."
Spier suggested Fraser was "glossing over" the original plan to keep the dog in the car, in an attempt to make her testimony appear more favorable.
"Instead of following those instructions, you handed the dog to your 13-year-old son."
Fraser also gave evidence saying the dog was barking, and jumped towards Schneider twice. That differed from Schneider's evidence, who said repeatedly under cross-examination that the dog remained completely still before the attack.
