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A Waikato woman is being hailed as a hero by Morrinsville police after she helped rescue a boy from a frenzied attack by four pig hunting dogs.
The attack took place in the township of Waitoa, near Morrinsville, on Monday evening and left the 13-year-old boy with more than 100 bites to his arms and legs.
The woman, a passing motorist, pulled the boy to safety in her car as the dogs' owner tried to drag them off.
After undergoing surgery, the boy is recovering in Waikato Hospital.
Sergeant Rod Smart, officer in charge of Morrinsville police, told NZPA the boy was passing 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 a passing motorist 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."
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
