Brutal attack ends ranger's working life

Dog control officer Rex McLeod's ear needed reattaching. Photo / Supplied

An animal control officer severely beaten while seizing an unregistered dog says he can never return to his job.

Rex McLeod, 67, was contracted to collect the dog from Ryder Place in Kawerau, eastern Bay of Plenty, on Tuesday. After getting no answer at the door, he tied up the dog to remove it.

"I'm usually more wary of the dogs than the owners," he said. "But [the owner] took me by surprise, slammed me with his fists, knocked me down. I got up, and he knocked me down again."

Mr McLeod said he was expecting to die when the man began a second bout of blows with what he believed was a loose piece of timber.

"I think I heard words to the effect of, 'I've started the job, so I should finish it off.' I got the impression I wasn't going home."

Mr McLeod felt himself being hosed down, but was unsure if it was to clean him or the blood on the path.

The attacker only relented when two neighbours, aged 24 and 23, heard Mr McLeod's moaning and intervened.

Constable Stuart Turnbull of Kawerau police said their actions prevented a potential homicide.

The neighbours drove Mr McLeod to Whakatane Hospital, where he underwent reconstructive surgery.

Part of his ear needed reattaching and his face was mottled by bruising and lacerations. He was discharged yesterday in a stable condition.

Kawerau District Council executive Chris Jensen said the attack was unprecedented in his 34 years at the council. "This is horrible stuff and ... is simply senseless."

Mr Jensen said the two young rescuers were "quite brilliant".

Mr McLeod has told his boss he is not returning to work. "I can't put my wife through this again."

A 21-year-old Whakatane man has been charged with assault.