Questions after 85-year-old bitten

George Holmes-Kinsella. Photo/Michael Cunningham

George Holmes-Kinsella wants to know why a dog which attacked him in the street has been allowed to remain in his neighbourhood.

The attack occurred when the 85-year-old retired P&O Line chief engineer took his Jack Russell-cross bitch Rebate for a walk from his home in Kokich Crescent at Onerahi 12 days ago.

Rebate yapped outside a neighbour's home and one of the two big dogs which lived there jumped the fence.

Mr Holmes-Kinsella picked up Rebate and the other dog attacked, knocking the elderly man against a wall and biting his right arm in a couple of places.

His cries for help drew neighbours and Whangarei District Council animal control contractor, Environmental Northland, was called.

An animal control officer took away the offending dog and took photographs of Mr Holmes-Kinsella's injuries when he received medical attention for his bitten arm and his neck.

The dog was impounded. It was classified as dangerous, but was later returned to its owners under the condition that it wears a muzzle when in public. The owners were fined $200. They have owned dogs for 10 years and none of their animals had previously drawn complaints. The height of their fence was raised to make their property more secure.

Mr Holmes-Kinsella wrote to the council wanting to know the process that had been followed, which allowed the dog to return to his street. He felt he should be able to walk around his own neighbourhood without fear. However, as his email had the wrong address, Mr Holmes-Kinsella did not receive a reply and felt the council was brushing him off.

When one of his friends phoned the Advocate to say the attack needed publicising because if a dog bit a sheep it could be shot, he agreed to a report being written.

Council media manager Ann Midson said it was understood Mr Holmes-Kinsella had told an animal control officer he didn't want to take action against the dog owners and this had been crucial to the council assessment of what should be done about the attack.

When the Advocate asked him, Mr Holmes-Kinsella denied saying he didn't want to take action. But he also said he "couldn't confirm or deny it because I was bleeding, frightened and had lost my temper".

Ms Midson yesterday contacted Mr Holmes-Kinsella to assure him of the council's concern over his issues. The owners of the attacking dog considered it had bitten Mr Holmes-Kinsella because he was holding Rebate.