Dog bite was 'all my fault'

Holly Prebble has had her bottom lip bitten by the dog who launched itself at her when she stooped to pat it. Photo / Herald on Sunday

The young woman who lost part of her lip after being bitten by a rottweiler said she wanted to meet the dog's owner so she can apologise to him.

Holly Prebble, 21, was bitten on the face while working at a pet-food promotion at the Animates pet store in Westgate on Friday.

She lost 40 per cent of her lower lip and received puncture wounds to her face and arms.

She spoke to the Herald on Sunday from her hospital bed in Middlemore. "[The owner] brought it in and I was giving it a few pats and asked if he wanted a treat. I patted him on the head and he bit me."

She said straight after the mauling she was in shock. She ran to the counter to use the phone to call an ambulance, leaving a trail of blood through the store. A friend rushed her to Waitakere Hospital then she was transferred to Middlemore.

She has had surgery twice and more was expected.

"That was my big mistake, I think. Apparently rottweilers don't like being patted on the head. There was no one to blame but me because it was an accident I caused. It was just one of those things that happened."

She said Animates had been "wonderful" and sent DVDs and flowers. She had not heard from the dog's owner.

"I want to express my deepest apologies for what's happened because it's not his fault. He must be feeling pretty stressed so I just want to say I'm sorry for what happened."

She was looking forward to returning to work. "It is such a cool job. You get to meet so many people and so many animals and they're all lovely."

She also wanted to learn more about animals. "If I'd known more about rottweilers I probably wouldn't have been so friendly."

She was unsure how long the recovery would take.

Holly's parents Richard and Karen Prebble said they were dog owners. Their last dog was a black labrador which had been in the family for 14 years.

Karen Prebble said Holly had received lots of support.

"She's coping really well. She's really upbeat. I don't think she will let this stop her."

The couple also said they had no animosity towards the owner and did not want him to feel responsible.

"Putting that dog down would hurt the family as well," said Karen. "We don't want him to feel that he's responsible for this," added Richard.

Animates' general manager Richard Bowker said the firm deeply regretted the attack. A review of safety measures for staff and visitors during pet visits was under way.

A Department of Labour investigation was also under way into health and safety at the store. Waitakere City Council manager of animal welfare Neil Wells said footage of the attack had been reviewed and the owner had done nothing wrong so the dog would not be destroyed.