Owners of attack dog plead guilty

4.30pm

Two sickness beneficiaries today pleaded guilty to owning the dog that severely mauled seven-year-old Auckland girl Carolina Anderson.

Brian Clarke Hill, 44, and Welsh-born Thomas Henry Owen, 55, who live at the same Grey Lynn, Auckland, address, were remanded on bail until March 12 for sentence.

In Auckland District Court, Judge Cecilie Rushton said the bail conditions would include a ban on Hill and Owen owning a dog.

They would also not be allowed to contact the victim or her family unless the family agreed and contact was organised through police.

Judge Rushton ordered the destruction of the dog, an american staffordshire terrier named Joey.

Hill and Owen were charged under the Dog Control Act with being the owners of an animal that caused serious injury.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of three months in jail and a $5000 fine.

Carolina, who had half her face torn off in the attack a week ago, has since undergone hours of plastic surgery at Kidz First hospital.

In a statement of facts, police prosecutor Sergeant Jim Downey said Hill and Owen were the owners of two dogs, the other being a bitch named Suzy.

Mr Downey said Owen was at Cox's Bay Reserve in Westmere with a female associate and the two dogs last Friday night.

Carolina was also at the reserve with her family when, unprovoked and without warning, one of the dogs attacked her as she was playing with two other children.

She was unable to defend herself against the ferocity of the assault and her family rushed to try to help her.

The dog released her head from its jaws only when it was hit. Owen approached the scene and removed the dog.

Mr Downey said Carolina suffered horrific and what had been potentially life-threatening injuries, including extensive blood loss.

Family members had to return to the reserve to try to find missing body parts for re-attaching to Carolina.

Hill and Owen were arrested at their home on Wednesday.

Mr Downey said neither showed any remorse and appeared concerned only for their own self-preservation.

During the hearing, Hill appeared to weep as he stood in the dock, occasionally dabbing at his face with a sleeve of his suit.

Outside the court, defence lawyer Paul Wicks said the men didn't want to make any immediate comment except "to say how sorry they are about what happened".

Hill also appeared on a charge of possessing cannabis plant on the day of his arrest.

He pleaded not guilty to that count and has been remanded on bail until March 20.

- NZPA