Sharpei-cross put down after attack on pre-schooler

A dog that attacked a Christchurch 4-year-old, leaving him with serious facial injuries, has been destroyed.

Jacob Stark had surgery on Sunday after he was attacked by the sharpei-terrier cross dog while playing at a friend's house.

He received cuts and bruising to his lip, cheek, forehead and back.

Doctors have said he will be off pre-school for 10 days.

Christchurch City Council animal control team leader Mark Vincent said yesterday the dog's owner agreed to destroy the pet.

Animal control thought it was the best approach and no further action would be taken.

The male dog, which had been in the council's care since the attack, was not a purebred sharpei, Mr Vincent said.

"In our opinion it's got way more terrier than anything else, probably 75 per cent.

"Parents and dog owners everywhere need to remember that all dogs, of whatever breed or mixture, have the potential to bite."

Racheal Stark said she was happy the dog had been destroyed.

"Any dog that does that should be put down straight away," she said.

"Jacob is recovering but we are finding it difficult because he is frustrated he can't go to kindy and it is a matter of finding things for him to do."

- NZPA