Dog attack charge upgraded
A man who was originally charged with being the owner of a dog that caused injury to a person has had his charge upgraded to manslaughter as Panguru man Neville Thomson has since died after allegedly being mauled by a pack of dogs.
On Monday Abel Wira, 59, was officially charged and appeared in the Kaitāia District Court, accused of manslaughter in connection with the death of Thomson.
Wira was boarding at Thomson’s home on Puketawa Rd and was listed as the owner of six dogs and 17 puppies that allegedly attacked Thomson, who fatally died at the scene in August 2022.
Wira will next appear in the Kaitāia District Court on March 20.