KEY POINTS:
The owner of two pitbull dogs which attacked two people in south Auckland on Saturday could face imprisonment or a fine of up to $20,000.
The pitbulls were destroyed after attacking eight-year-old boy Jackson Williams and 15-year-old girl Te Aro Pakuivi in Papakura.
The boy was dragged to the ground by the dogs and bitten several times on the leg before passers-by were able to rescue him. Te Aro Pakuivi was bitten once on the leg.
Jackson required several stitches for deep puncture wounds and was detained in hospital overnight.
Animal Control Services customer services manager Geoff Keber said it was highly likely the owner would be charged under the Dog Control Act, especially as the dogs were unregistered.
"He can be charged with owning a dog that attacks, and owning a dog that causes injury," Mr Keber said.
"The second charge is the more likely one they will face, though nothing is ever certain.
"If they are found guilty, the penalty is a maximum of three years in prison or a $20,000 fine."
Mr Keber said Animal Control Services, which looks after dog control in the Papakura District, would discuss with police on Wednesday what charges the owner should face.
He said Animal Control Services usually looked after offences under the Dog Control Act but that police could choose to become involved if they wished.
"They arrived soon after ambulance did and they have been involved more than usual in this sort of incident," Mr Keber said.
It was revealed earlier today that police were within seconds of shooting the dogs during the attack.
Detective Sergeant Steve Greally said he was charged by a dog when he arrived at the owner's home in Takanini, just north of Papakura.
He said the police were reaching for their guns when the owner arrived and restrained the dogs. They were both later destroyed.
"One had a go at me as I hopped out of my car. We were very close (to shooting it).
"If the owner hadn't been there it would have been shot on the spot."
Mr Greally said he was "100 per cent sure" the dogs were highly dangerous.
"I had another sergeant with me who was reaching for a firearm."
He said the owner co-operated and restrained the dogs and the only reason they were not shot after they were restrained was that there were still a lot of children about.
The attack came just a week after Bay of Plenty woman Virginia Ohlson was mauled to death by a pitbull and a staffordshire cross while out walking in Murupara and an 85-year-old woman was bitten in the face by a rottweiler outside an Auckland supermarket.
- NZPA
