Official says dog should die

Mike Webster said while he knew the association had offered to rehome the dog, it was Napier City Council's view the dog should be put down.

A pitbull that mauled another dog to death in Napier recently remains in the city's animal pound - despite a pitbull association calling for it to be freed.

Napier City Council regulatory services manager Mike Webster said: "The dog's owner has not surrendered him to be put down, so ultimately his fate will likely be decided by a judge."

The pitbull, known as Dante, made headlines after he killed a shar pei not long after being released from the council pound last month.

The dog had originally been held because he wasn't registered, not because he had been aggressive.

After a social media campaign raised the fees required to release the dog, dog control officers advised the owners the animal needed to be restrained when around other dogs and muzzled when out in public because he had displayed "dog aggressive" behaviour while in the pound.

"Unfortunately, after he was released, Dante wasn't secured adequately and he managed to break free. As a result he killed another dog in front of young children."

In earlier reports yesterday The American Pitbull Association said it wanted Dante freed from death row, and claimed he posed no risk to humans.

Mr Webster said while he knew the association had offered to rehome the dog, it was Napier City Council's view the dog should be put down.

"Speaking generally, if a dog has exhibited aggressive behaviour toward other dogs and has killed, it is highly likely to kill again if given the opportunity.

"While we realise this dog is someone's pet, the fact is Dante has killed another dog so we will be doing everything we can to ensure that Napier's community is kept safe and we don't believe he should be released."