No charges over dog attack on boy

No one will be prosecuted after a dog attacked a seven-year-old Wanganui boy because he could not positively identify the animal.

However, one of the two suspect dogs was put down as its owner could not look after it properly.

Brendon Rei's upper lip had to be stitched up after the September attack, in which a staffordshire bull terrier sank its teeth into his face.

Wanganui District Council impounded two dogs that he identified as possible offenders.

However, Brendon was unable to conclusively identify which dog was involved and the council decided, after talking to police, that it could not bring a prosecution, said council chief executive Kevin Ross.

"There was even confusion over what colour it was. Without credible evidence, we were unable to take the case any further.

"It is unfortunate that we were unable to positively identify the offending dog in such a high profile case," Mr Ross said.

One dog was released to its owner following the decision not to prosecute.

However, there were concerns over the other dog because of its "rushing" behaviour.

The dog was classified as dangerous and as the owner was unable to meet all the classification's obligations it was destroyed.

- NZPA