Dog attack victim still serious

A Tauranga man attacked by his own dogs yesterday morning remains in a serious condition in Waikato Hospital today.

The 34-year-old man was savaged by the dogs, described as "pitbull types", at his Hairini home about 6am yesterday.

Ambulance officers found him badly hurt and covered in blood, while the highly agitated dogs were in another part of the house.

The paramedics called police who shot both dogs dead, saying they were too dangerous and posed a risk to anyone who got near them.

The victim, who had serious head and arm injuries, was initially taken to Tauranga Hospital but was transferred to Waikato Hospital for specialist care.

He underwent more than five hours of surgery on his arms and head, Waikato Hospital spokeswoman Mary Anne Gill said.

Senior Sergeant Rob Glencross, of Tauranga police, said yesterday the man's injuries were "pretty horrific", and extremely serious, but not life threatening.

- NZPA