A Rotorua woman has been sentenced to four months' jail after her pitbull attacked a toddler - "degloving'' the child's forehead.
Philomena Marcelle Matthews, 37, appeared for sentencing before Judge James Weir in the Rotorua District Court this morning.
She had previously pleaded guilty to being the owner of a pitbull that attacked a toddler causing serious injuries.
On December 15 last year at a house in Ruth St, Fordlands, the visiting 18-month-old was bitten three times by the tied-up pitbull - once in the forehead which "de-gloved'' her skin, requiring 20 stitches. She also suffered puncture wounds on her hand and chest.
Judge Weir also ordered for the dog to be destroyed and Matthews was disqualified from owning a dog for the next three years.