Second ear-biting attack in a day

A second ear-biting attack yesterday left a Christchurch doctor with a severe injury, police say.

Part of the GP's ear was bitten off in an incident at Ferry Road Medical Centre.

Police told The Press the doctor had undergone surgery to replace part of the ear.

A man, in his mid to late 30s, had been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He was not being treated by the doctor at the time.

Meanwhile a Rotorua woman is recovering today after undergoing surgery yesterday to re-attach part of her ear bitten off in a fight in Rotorua in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The woman, 23, had been drinking with friends in the central city and got into a fight with a group of about three people on Haupapa St about 1.30am.

She was punched and kicked and a "sizeable portion", probably more than half of her right ear, was bitten off, said Senior Sergeant Dennis Murphy, of Rotorua police.

The woman was transferred from Rotorua to Waikato Hospital where surgeons spent several hours reattaching her ear in the afternoon.

A hospital spokeswoman said she was in a stable condition and medical staff would monitor whether the surgery was successful.

Police had not yet spoken to the woman and would likely talk to her today.

- NZPA