Carolina-case dog owner seeks to overturn ban

By WAYNE THOMPSON

One of two men jailed after their dog attacked 7-year-old Carolina Anderson a year ago has applied to overturn a ban on his registering a dog.

Auckland City Council classified Brian Hill as a probationary dog owner, meaning he cannot register a dog in his name until January next year.

But yesterday, Mr Hill asked the council to reverse the classification that it made on December 11 after he was sentenced to two months' jail for owning american staffordshire terrier Joey, which mauled Carolina in January last year.

Joey's co-owner, Thomas Owen, received the same sentence and the council also classed him as a probationary dog owner.

Mr Owen has not objected to his classification.

The council's animal control manager, Liz Stanaway, recommended the probation period continue in a report yesterday to the council's regulatory subcommittee.

Liz Stanaway said that since their conviction and sentencing Mr Hill and Mr Owen had sought to care for or own a dog similar to Joey, which was destroyed.

In November, a complainant reported that Mr Hill and an unidentified woman were walking a "tan-coloured red-nose female pitbull" on a path to Coxs Bay Reserve - where the attack on Carolina took place.

The woman held the pitbull's lead as it barked and lunged at the complainant's dog.

She kept control of the dog and it came no closer than 8m to the complainant, whom the council will not identify.

The complainant said: "I am reporting this because I am concerned Brian and Henry [Mr Owen] are not being responsible with this new dog and it is potentially dangerous."

Liz Stanaway said that on December 8 Mr Hill applied to register a dog called "Rose", describing it as a 4-year-old "red nose terrier", another name for the american pit bull.

Mr Hill wrote to the council saying he had "inherited the dog only while I wait to receive original owner paper work regarding Rose.

"Until then I will take responsibility for Rose and hereby have her registered."

The council said Mr Hill and his mother had approached it for advice on registering the dog in her name or that of her sister.

Mr Hill told One News last night: "People who know us know what good, responsible dog owners we are."

The report said that the probation period was two years from the date of the offence in accordance with the old dog control law which was replaced in December.

The new act would have disqualified them from being the owner of a dog for up to five years. They would have to undertake a dog owner education programme.

The subcommittee reserved its decision.

The story so far

* January 2003: Carolina Anderson, 7, is viciously mauled by a dog.

* In February, Brian Hill and Thomas Owen plead guilty to a joint charge of owning the dog, Joey, that mauled the 7-year-old.

* The men are sentenced to two months in prison.

* January 2004: Mr Hill applies to overturn a ban on his registering a dog.