Judge praises town's support

Jacob Te Kurapa

The Murupara community has been commended for the support it's shown the two families affected by last year's dog attack on a Japanese girl.

Gareth Boyt, 35, was discharged without conviction in the Rotorua District Court this week having pleaded guilty last year to a charge of owning four Staffordshire bull terrier cross dogs that caused serious injuries to then 7-year-old Sakurako Uehara.

The incident occurred at Boyt's property on March 3, 2014. He was not there at the time.

He was ordered by Judge David Ruth to pay $7500 in reparation for emotional harm. The girl suffered about 100 bites from the attack and extensive injuries. The court heard she would need reconstructive surgery for at least the next 10 years.

Judge Ruth said Boyt was well respected in the community and had shown he was remorseful. The judge also gave the Murupara township credit for the fundraising efforts it had made to help support Sakurako and her family.

"The community is to be commended and it shows living in New Zealand far exceeds living in any other country in the world," he said.

Boyt was originally jointly charged with his wife Charlotte Boyt, 31, but police withdrew the charge against her in November.

Murupara Community Board chairman Jacob Te Kurapa said the judge's decision was a great result for the Boyts and their town. He said the couple were heavily involved in volunteer work such as the fire service and conservation.

"For the case to be dragging on like this ... now they can have some closure," he said.

"Charlotte and Gareth are good friends and have helped me out in the past. They have invested a lot into this community and they have given a lot of time here and the community in turn have supported them emotionally, spiritually and physically with a lot of people at the courthouse in support."

Mr Te Kurapa said the town also naturally felt the need to rally around Sakurako and her family.

"We took part in the appeal that was made which raised from what I heard more than $98,000. Members of the fire service went around with buckets to collect money and the contributions made to Auckland Hospital for the family so support was given to both sides.

"We are a smaller community but we pitch in together when someone needs a hand, I'm quite proud of our small community."