Fate of dog undecided

The court will decide the fate of the third dog involved in a mauling at Whirinaki Point.

Two dogs, from a pack that attacked people in two separate incidents at Whirinaki Beach last Saturday, have been put down.

A black-and-white male bull terrier named Halo and a brindle-and-black Neapolitan mastiff-cross named Max were killed by lethal injection administered by a vet on Saturday.

They were two of three roaming dogs that attacked twice in 45 minutes. The third, a Rhodesian ridgeback called Rascal, was yet to be surrendered to Hastings District Council Animal Control.

Its fate may be determined by the courts.

A Hastings District Council spokesperson said it was waiting for a legal opinion before deciding whether to prosecute the owners for the attacks.

A 37-year-old woman out jogging suffered a two-minute mauling, receiving significant damage to her right buttock, upper arm and armpit.

Soon after, a woman in her 60s out walking was set upon by the same three dogs, suffering a bite to her arm which required surgery.

Both women were taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital.