Murupara dog attack: Owners back in court

Gareth Clive Boyt and Charlotte Boyt. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post

The alleged owners of four dogs that savaged a 7-year-old girl in Murupara have reappeared in court.

Charlotte Boyt, 31, and Gareth Clive Boyt, 35, were jointly charged under Section 58 of the Dog Control Act with owning four dogs that caused serious injury.

They appeared before a registrar in Rotorua District Court today and were remanded at large without plea until May 21.

Sakurako Uehara was mauled by the Staffordshire bull terrier-cross dogs on March 3.

A large crowd was in the public gallery to support the two accused who held hands throughout their short appearance.

After the attack the dogs were put down.

Sakurako faces years of reconstructive surgery to repair extensive wounds to most of her body. She suffered more than 100 bites to her face, limbs and almost every part of her body.