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The owner of four dogs which savaged a 13-year-old boy on Monday in the Waikato is very upset about what happened.
The boy, dragged from his bicycle in the small township of Waitoa and bitten more than 100 times, was in a fair condition in Waikato Hospital today. He underwent more than six hours of surgery on Tuesday.
Sergeant Rod Smart, officer in charge of the nearby Morrinsville police, said no decision had been made yet on whether charges would be laid against the dogs' owner, but it was likely they would.
"We really need to finish the inquiry off before we make a decision on what charges," he said.
Any charges would come under the Dog Control Act.
Mr Smart said the owner had tried to save the boy from the frenzied attack.
"He tried his best to drag the dogs off the lad and he's certainly been very co-operative with the police since then," Mr Smart said.
"Understandably, he's very upset up about what happened."
Today the boy's mother, who asked not to be named, said she was still traumatised by the attack.
She said her son was still groggy and receiving continuing treatment.
Dr Fiona Neary, the plastic surgery registrar who operated on the boy, said she was pleased with his progress. He was likely to remain in Waikato Hospital another week at least.
"He is recovering well. He's a very brave young man," she said.
The attack, by four greyhound-pitbull cross hunting dogs about 5pm on Monday, left the boy with more than 100 bites to his arms and legs, injuries Dr Neary said were among the most extensive she had seen.
The boy was rescued by passing motorist Jenny Robinson, who dragged him to safety.
The dogs were destroyed on Tuesday.
- NZPA
