22 Jan 2012

Third dog attack in less than a week

10:01 pm on 22 January 2012

A nine-year-old child has been attacked by a dog in Rotorua, the third dog attack in less than a week.

An ambulance spokesperson says the child suffered minor injuries and was taken to Rotorua Hospital.

The attack happened about 2.30pm on Sunday.

No further details are available.

Two young children are still in hospital after being bitten in attacks, one in Ashburton and the other in Porirua.

A one-year-old girl from Porirua, was taken to Hutt hospital by ambulance at about 11.15am on Saturday with moderate facial injuries after being attacked by a staffordshire pit bull cross.

She is now in a satisfactory condition following surgery.

The dog was seized by Porirua District Council which says it will likely be put down.

On Wednesday, a boy, aged three, from Ashburton was in a critical condition after being bitten on the throat by a dog which was put down on the request of its owner.

The boy is now in Starship hospital, Auckland.

And on Christmas Day, a 15-month-old boy was bitten in the face by a dog in the Bay of Plenty town of Edgecumbe.

More attacks foreseen

Auckland SPCA says it tried to stop the Government from importing pitbull dogs years ago and tougher laws now will not prevent attacks.

Executive director Bob Kerridge says a pitbull dog is violent in nature and that is excelled when cross-bred.

He says there will be dog attacks as long as pitbull crosses are in New Zealand and cautions anyone from owning one.

The pitbull dog is classed as a dangerous breed and can no longer be imported.