Two injured in separate dog attacks

Photo / Supplied

A 10-year-old Kaipara girl is in hospital with severe injuries after being savagely attacked by two dogs near her home.

The mauling, on Pouto Rd, southwest of Dargaville, on Sunday left her with wounds to her legs, arms, neck and eyelid.

It is understood she was walking the dogs home when the attack occurred about 4pm on Sunday.

The same day, a pregnant woman suffered an 8cm gash and two puncture wounds to her lower leg when she was attacked by a dog in Whangarei.

It is understood the dogs responsible for the attack on the young girl belonged to one of her relatives and that she knew them.

Dargaville police did not know what had caused the attack or the breed of the dogs involved.

Acting Senior Sergeant John Fagan said the owner had immediately put them down.

The other victim, a 32-year-old from Moerewa, was returning the keys for a hired venue to the householders when the dog attacked her from behind.

The dog, thought to be a "German shepherd-type breed", let her walk past as she entered the property but attacked as she left.

Vanessa Morris from Environment Northland said the victim was shaken, and told the owners she would be reporting the case.