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A Waikato woman who rescued a boy from a frenzied attack by four pig hunting dogs has been hailed as a hero by Morrinsville police.
The attack took place in the township of Waitoa, near Morrinsville, about 5pm on Monday, and left the 13-year-old boy with more than 100 bites to his arms and legs, injuries a doctor said were among the most extensive she had seen.
Jenny Robinson, who was driving past the scene, stopped and pulled the boy to safety in her car as the dogs' owner tried to drag them off.
After undergoing surgery, the boy was recovering in Waikato Hospital.
Sergeant Rod Smart, officer in charge of Morrinsville police, told NZPA the boy was cycling through Waitoa when the pitbull-greyhound cross dogs escaped from their owner's garden.
"He was attacked for a couple of minutes and received in excess of 100 bite wounds, mainly to his arms and legs, many of the wounds are down to the bone," Mr Smart said.
"He underwent some hours of surgery yesterday and will be in hospital for at least another week but is expected to make a good recovery, amazingly."
Mr Smart said Ms Robinson managed to pull the boy to safety in her car.
"The owner of the dogs tried to pull the dogs off the child, he tried his best, but he couldn't keep all four dogs off.
"A passing motorist was flagged down by the owner and she managed to pull the boy into her car and drove him back to his home address," he said.
"We're grateful for her assistance," Mr Smart said.
"If she hadn't acted then it could have been much worse."
Ms Robinson said at first she was hesitant to get amongst the dogs fighting.
"But then when I saw the boy I just jumped out and my main concern was just the boy.
She said one of the dogs grabbed the boy as she tried to get him into the car, but she just managed get him in and jump in herself.
Ms Robinson said she was "absolutely terrified, but that's the thing at the time, you just do".
The boy's mother, who preferred not to be named, said today her son was in good spirits despite his horrendous injuries.
She said Ms Robinson and some other women phoned the ambulance and took her son home.
"They were wonderful," she said.
About 10 minutes later the ambulance arrived and she accompanied her son to Waikato Hospital.
"In the scheme of things it could have been much, much worse," she said.
Waikato Hospital registrar Dr Fiona Neary said the boy had more than 100 lacerations on the arms, legs and buttocks.
He underwent six hours surgery yesterday and was unlikely to have more.
"It was a very long day for him."
The major damage was to the left bicep muscle, which would need extensive physiotherapy.
He was unlikely to return to school for several weeks.
"I don't think I've ever seen such extensive injuries," said Dr Neary.
"Obviously he was extremely frightened."
The dogs were destroyed yesterday.
Mr Smart said police were investigating and would take appropriate action if necessary.
He said the attack was a timely reminder to people to keep animals under control.
- NZPA
