Lawyer backs dog-attack pair

The lawyer for one of two men jailed after their dog attacked 7-year-old Carolina Anderson says they are acting responsibly in caring for another dog.

Brian Hill and Thomas Owen were the owners of american staffordshire terrier Joey, which mauled Carolina in January.

They were sentenced to two months in prison for the attack and their dog was destroyed.

Mr Hill said they were looking after the dog, named Demi, for a friend. But publicity about the animal yesterday prompted him to say he might become a dog-owner again.

He said they had spoken to police before taking the dog and were told it was all right to have the animal. They had also consulted neighbours.

Mr Hill echoed comments by SPCA head Bob Kerridge, saying care of the dog was part of the healing process.

The men have been walking the dog at Cox's Bay Reserve, where the attack on Carolina took place.

Colin Amery, a lawyer who represented Mr Owen, said the men were being treated unfairly.

They had been through an unpleasant ordeal, he said. Mr Owen was beaten by a fellow inmate while serving his sentence at Mt Eden.

Mr Amery said the men acted responsibly by contacting police before taking the dog.

"They've done all the right things."