The mother of a 6-year-old boy who was left with serious facial injuries after a dog attack says she is not happy about the council's decision to return the dog to its owners.
Whangarei District Council regulatory services manager Grant Couchman said after investigating the attack the black shar pei dog responsible for biting Tyree Walters on Friday, October 21 would be returned to its owners.
"The investigation has concluded that the bite resulted as the result of unfortunate circumstances. Tyree loved animals and as a child naturally wanted to give the animal a cuddle. This had inadvertently startled the dog which because of deafness and partial blindness had reacted by biting," he said.
The mother of Tyree, Jess Wood, said she was not happy with the decision.
"I'll definitely be keeping my kids away from the neighbours house that's for sure. Just means my kids won't be able to feel free to play like they used to as I'll be so paranoid. But it is what it is," she said.