Investigation into rottweiler attack concludes

The dogs were destroyed two days after the attack on family orders. Photo / File / Thinkstock

The owners of two rottweilers that mauled an 8-year-old Christchurch boy last month will find out next week if they will be charged.

Police have concluded investigations into the August 17 attack and are now having their case reviewed before making a final decision.

Eight-year-old Mason Bennett was set upon by two rottweilers, which belonged to his family, after he took them out for a run at Linfield Park, Bromley, which backs on to his Rudds Rd house.

He was tossed into the air during the attack, witnessed by his stepsister.

The youngster has had plastic surgery for bite wounds to his head, face and leg.

The dogs were destroyed two days after the attack on family orders, Christchurch City Council said.

Today, Inspector Derek Erasmus confirmed that inquiries have concluded and the case is under review.

"A decision will be released next week on whether anyone will be charged in relation to that dog attack."

The owners had been warned by animal control officers just days earlier to keep the dogs locked up, the city council confirmed last month.

The animal control team had earlier received a separate complaint that the dogs had been roaming in Linfield Park on August 3.

The rottweilers got out of their backyard that day after a ball had been kicked into their property and a player had jumped over the fence to get it back, gone through a gate and left it open.

Leon van Wyk heard dogs barking and turned round to see them pounce on 4-year-old Roy Wilson.

"They pinned him to the ground and, seriously, dragged him along the ground like a doll," Mr van Wyk said.

Roy was saved from severe injuries by wearing a thick jersey and jacket.

He's now terrified of dogs, and his parents, Walt and Jennifer Wilson, are angry the near miss didn't serve as a stark warning the dogs' owners.

The complaint to the council's animal control team was made by Mr Wilson, 37, who had been playing rugby when spectators saved his son from the dogs.

He approached the owners about controlling their dangerous dogs, and phoned dog control who did the same.

After the August 3 incident the Rudds Rd owners were told by animal control to padlock their gate, which they immediately did.