Emotionally upset pitbull put down for biting officer

The owners of an American pitbull terrier put down after it attacked an animal control officer say their dog did not need to die.

Brad Roberts and Felicia Skilton said Sonny was well behaved until a neighbour's pitbull scaled a 2m-high fence to attack it two weeks ago.

The dogs fought for an hour before dog control officers arrived and took the invader to the pound.

Sonny had suffered serious injury in the fight, "not only physically, but to his emotional and mental well being", Ms Skilton said.

When the officers returned to the property with reparation from the neighbouring dog's owners, Sonny attacked, biting one of them on both arms and a hand.

Council spokesman Curt Christiansen said the officer took refuge behind a glass sliding door.

Sonny was put down last Thursday.

Mr Roberts said given that his dog attacked a person, it had to be put down, but "it didn't need to get to that point".

The officers lacked "common sense" in showing up unannounced, knowing the dog had been traumatised, he said.

Mr Christiansen said the dog was mentally unstable, a danger to the public and "clearly not under control".

- NZPA