Pitbull attack scalps woman

Liz Smith, 52, said the pitbull tore at her scalp, ears, nose and lips. She was taken to Tauranga Hospital for surgery. Photo / APN

An American pitbull dog tore the scalp off a woman and inflicted puncture wounds and bruising all over her body in a fierce attack lasting 20 minutes.

The dog belongs to the victim's sister, who is accused of attacking her before the dog joined in.

Kawerau woman Liz Smith, 52, was visiting her sister at her home in Welcome Bay, Tauranga, when the dog attack happened early on Saturday.

Her sister, Philippa Bayley, 54, appeared in the Tauranga District Court on Monday over the incident.

Ms Smith alleges her sister attacked her about 2am after they had spent the night discussing "issues".

The dog joined in, and Ms Smith says it attacked her for 20 minutes before police arrived.

She thinks a neighbour heard the noise and called for help.

Ms Smith said the dog tore at her scalp, ears, nose and lips.

She was taken to Tauranga Hospital and has undergone surgery.

"It was not going to stop. I begged her 'get the dog off me'," Ms Smith said.

"I don't know how I'm going to get it out of my head when I go to sleep at night. I'm very lucky to have survived this."

Ms Smith wanted to speak out about the attack so the public knew "these dogs don't stop".

She believed that because the dog was only a puppy, claims the breed was trained to attack were untrue.

"I think this will help to prove that it's actually in the breed," she said.

"Half an hour before that, I'd been patting the dog."

Ms Smith said she haemorrhaged during surgery to repair her face and scalp.

She was discharged from Tauranga Hospital yesterday afternoon and said she wanted to thank the staff for their compassion and care.

In court on Monday, Ms Smith's sister faced a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Standing in the dock dressed in blue police-assigned overalls, she was remanded on bail without plea and is due back in court on June 3.

Community magistrate Robyn Paterson granted Bayley bail subject to conditions including a ban on consuming alcohol and non-prescribed drugs, and entering licensed premises, except supermarkets.

Mrs Paterson also banned Bayley from having control of any dog.

Bayley is also barred from having any contact with her sister and entering Kawerau township.

Tauranga City Council animal services team leader Brent Lincoln said American pitbull terriers were the biggest biters, accounting for 18 per cent of attacks yet making up just 1 per cent of the Tauranga dog population.

In the Western Bay in April last year, an American pitbull terrier inflicted leg wounds so serious that the victim needed 10 days in hospital and plastic surgery.

- APN