Animal officer attacked by dog owner

A Rotorua animal control officer suffered serious head injuries when beaten while investigating a complaint.

The 60-year-old was taking control of a dog on a Kawerau property, 54km northeast of Rotorua, on Monday, when allegedly attacked by the owner.

Kawerau police Senior Sergeant Warwick Morehu said a couple of neighbours heard the men fighting and came to the rescue.

"They intervened to firstly talk down the alleged offender and then gave support to the officer who was now lying on the ground, bloodied and barely conscious," he told the Rotorua Daily Post.

"One of the young men took hold of the officer and basically forced his way passed the alleged offender, carrying the officer to safety."

A 21-year-old man has been charged with assault and will appear in Whakatane District Court next week.

- NZPA