Pig dogs' owner spared jail over attack on jogger

The owner of eight pig dogs that attacked a Waikato woman while she was jogging has escaped a jail term.

The victim, Putaruru dairy farmer Margit Christensen, 36, was out running on August 3 when the pack of young bull terrier-cross dogs set upon her on a rural road not far from her home.

Police sought jail time for the dogs' owner, Tara Tuhakaraina, 29, but instead she was sentenced to three months' home detention and 200 hours' community work when she appeared in Tokoroa District Court yesterday, 3News reported.

She admitted eight counts of owning a dog causing injury.

Victim impact statements from Mrs Christensen and her husband, Sven, said they bore no grudge towards Tuhakaraina. They had also owned pig dogs but Tuhakaraina had not trained hers properly.

She was guilty of lack of knowledge and laziness rather than something intentional, the Christensens said.

Hospital staff said Mrs Christensen's injuries were the most extensive and extreme they had seen from dog bites.

She had an initial nine hours of reconstructive surgery and then six skin grafts. She has recovered well but may require further surgery.

The dogs have been killed.

- NZPA