The owner of the dogs that attacked a 7-year-old girl in Murupara leaving her with critical injuries took action themselves to immediately have the dogs put down.
Police said inquiries had established the dogs were registered and micro-chipped family pets, secure on the owners' semi-rural property.
The attack happened yesterday afternoon leaving the Japanese girl, who had recently moved to Murupara, with life-threatening injuries, mainly to her face.
Image 1 of 3: 030314sp5 Murupara dog attack. 03 March 2014 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker DPM 04Mar14 - HORROR: Emergency services at the scene of a Murupara property where a 7-year-old girl was mauled
There were adults on the property at the time of the incident and the girl's family are friends with the owner.