The father of 7-year-old Carolina Anderson, mauled by a dog whose owners have been given a jail term, intends to continue his campaign for law changes.
John Anderson said yesterday that he would meet Local Government Minister Chris Carter next week to discuss a timetable for changes being sought.
He would also seek confirmation on what the Government planned in the short-term though the Local Government Law Reform Bill (No 2), now before Parliament, as well as in the long-term.
"Then we can take a view about whether it's necessary to do a petition and that sort of thing," he said.
The bill bans pitbull terriers and adds other breeds to a restricted list. The Government also plans to clarify the rights of dog rangers to enter private property.
Mr Anderson, who took his campaign to Parliament last month and met Prime Minister Helen Clark, said he believed the legislation did not go far enough.
Instead, the Dog Control Act needed to be reviewed in its entirety.
He called for the Government, rather than local authorities, to determine restrictions on dogs in parks, stiffer penalties, more education for dog-owners, and perhaps licensing of owners.
Carolina was attacked while with her family at a reserve in Westmere, Auckland, on January 31.
She underwent nearly 12 hours of initial surgery to repair damage to her face, but is expected to undergo further operations well into her teens.
She returned to school for the first time last week.
"She is in fine spirits and is recovering as fast as we can hope," Mr Anderson said.
The owners of the dog that attacked her - Thomas Henry Owen, 55, and Brian Clarke Hill, 44 - were yesterday sentenced in the Auckland District Court to two months' jail and a $2000 fine each.
They had earlier pleaded guilty to being the owners of an animal that caused serious injury, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of three months in prison and a $5000 fine.
The pair have appealed against their sentence and are on bail.
- NZPA
Was a prison sentence the right decision?
The Herald asked interest groups whether the judge made a fair call:
Bob Kerridge, director of the SPCA, says the sentence is appropriate because it sends a clear message to dog owners to face up to their responsibilities.
"It's the first jail sentence imposed under Section 58 of the Dog Control Act. Normally with that act the dog is put down - so pays with its life - and the owners get off scott free.
"In this case, imprisonment is a timely message that people need to take responsibility for their dogs. Given the maximum the judge could have given was three months, I think it was a sound decision."
George Mills, director/secretary of the New Zealand Kennel Club, says the sentence was appropriate.
"We believe there should be proper sanctions against the owners of dangerous dogs who do nothing to protect the public. The sentence is fair based on current legislation, and it is good to see a jail sentence imposed.
"We certainly endorse a jail sentence, given the horrific nature of the injuries and the lack of responsibility shown by the owners."
Garth McVicar, national spokesperson for the Sensible Sentencing Trust, says two months behind bars is too lenient, and an 18-month sentence would be more appropriate.
"It's pretty lenient for what Carolina and her family are having to suffer. What's wrong with our system is that it doesn't seem to understand what the victims are going through.
"We are all about accountability and responsibility and, in our opinion, a sentence of 18 months would be more appropriate."
An English bull terrier owner and club secretary (who does not want to be named) says a two-month sentence is fair.
"I feel very strongly about owner responsibility. It is truly awful what happened to that little girl and the owners were dishonest from the start and tried to hide the fact the dog belonged to them.
"There is nothing to bench-mark it against, but in my opinion it was a fair sentence."
Herald Feature: When dogs attack
How you can help
A trust fund has been opened for 7-year-old dog attack victim Carolina Anderson. You can send a cheque to: Carolina Anderson Trust Account, BNZ, PO Box 46-294, Herne Bay, or donate over the internet to BNZ account number 020 248 000 3002-000.
