Pack of dogs attack pre-schoolers and teacher

Two pre-school children were badly mauled by a pack of dogs while out walking with a teacher in Rotorua yesterday.

The trio was attacked by four dogs around while on their daily walk from the Waiohewa Kohanga Reo to a field across the road.

The girl suffered close to 20 puncture wounds to different parts of her body and grazes, the boy received grazing and a few punctures, while the teacher was bitten several times on a leg. The children were treated in hospital and discharged.

Rotorua District Council senior animal control officer Kevin Coutts said the unprovoked dog attack was the worst he had seen in five years.

The two male dogs, including a labrador mastiff cross, a bull terrier cross and two cross breed female dogs, left their property through a fence and set upon the children and the woman, he told the Rotorua Daily Post.

The teacher picked up the children and tried her best to keep the dogs away from them. She got knocked over but still tried to cover them with her body.

"The teacher probably deserves a medal," Mr Coutts said.

'It could've been a lot worse, she's a very brave woman."

All four dogs have been handed over to animal control for destruction.

- NZPA