A 73-year-old man was bitten several times and a Bichon dog will be put down after being attacked by a Pit-bull in Arataki this morning.
An elderly couple were out walking their dog when the attack happened at around 9am on Grenada Street.
The Pit-bull dog (not pictured here) has been seized by animal control. Photo: File.
The man was bitten several times on his hands and received cuts and scratches to his legs as he tried to pull the Pit-bull, who was not on a lead, off his dog.
Senior Sergeant Shannon Clifford says: 'An 80-year-old woman and 73-year-old man were walking their Bichon dog when they were attacked by a loose Pit-bull dog.
'The Pit-bull dog attacked the elderly couple's dog and then attacked the man as he tried to separate the dogs.
'Members of the public ran to assist and were able to restrain the pit-bull dog using wire until police arrived.”
Shannon says the man's injuries did not require hospitalisation.
The Bichon dog was taken to the vets and will be put to sleep as a result of the severity of the injuries sustained.
'The Pit-bull dog has been seized by animal control, who are working in conjunction with police and are investigating this matter,” says Shannon.
'The dog is micro chipped and animal control will follow up with the registered owner.”
32 comments
Enough is enough
Posted on 06-11-2015 11:47 | By Bigmacnfries
How many times do we have to put up with these mongrel dogs attacking people and small dogs before they are banned. My sympathies for those involved in this attack, I hope the dog responsible is destroyed.
Here we go again
Posted on 06-11-2015 12:12 | By fletch
Don't muck around just get rid of it.
shame
Posted on 06-11-2015 12:24 | By Tgaboy
This is the result of mongrels owning mongrels. Sorry to hear that the elderly couple have not lost their beloved pet to a mastiff attack. Hope the animal is detroyed. Not that the owner/s will give a toss. Mongrels.
Rastus
Posted on 06-11-2015 12:39 | By rastus
Why these types of breeds are allowed is an enigma - the number of peoples lives that have been affected by such attacks is surely a good reason for banning them. I do hope that the owner is charged and that the judge sends them to jail for such irresponsibility. But my guess is that people will still keep such violent animals (because they can) and will occasionally feel the wrath of a wet lettuce across their hands for their total lack of responsibility!
How many More Attacks
Posted on 06-11-2015 13:04 | By Watchdog
will it take. Dog Control needs to introduce legislation via Council, and onto Central Government that ALL Pit Bulls should be banned. If you have one it should be euthanised. These dogs are unpredictable. The elderly gentleman is fortunate not to have been more severely mauled. I had to help a child once who was ripped by a Pit Bull and he had to go to hospital as well. Council should do full out to identify all owners of Pit Bulls and notify them they risk prison if their dog attacks anyone. Make the punishment more "thoughtful and appropriate" for this type of attack. But ACT NOW, not after more attacks. We've had kids attacked, now elderly. And other dogs. We need to be safe on our streets.
Pit bulls
Posted on 06-11-2015 13:40 | By Tyraone
Euthanase the lot they should never been allowed to enter NZ in the first place. I cannot take my small dogs for a walk because of the wandering Pit Bulls. I really emphasis with the couple whose little Bichon was mauled by these vicious canines. Regretfully many Pit Bulls are owned by people who havent a clue on training and educating and merely acquired as a status symbol.
Agree with Rastus
Posted on 06-11-2015 14:10 | By The Sage
These types of dogs should be banned because, dear I say it, it is a certain type of person who owns them. My condolences to the elderly couple who have lost a beloved pet. It's all about taking responsibility, something that is sadly lacking in many people these days.How often have I heard "he won't hurt you" as yet another big dog jumps over me and my little dog. These people just don't get it. The dogs are out of control and, sadly, many of the owners are too.
No excuse!
Posted on 06-11-2015 14:18 | By Corwen
Guess my dog registration fees (are getting used in spending time dealing with this dog! bit late really for the couple and their poor dog. Find the owners, get rid of the dog at their cost, paid up front and make them pay for all costs involved. plus a very hefty fine.
Again
Posted on 06-11-2015 14:25 | By What now
Yes these type of dogs are unpredictable. Owners of these type of dogs should have to be licenced. I agree that most of these people (not all) have only got them as a status symbol. I feel I cant walk my little dogs because of roaming large dogs. My sympathy goes to the couple. Their little dog was part of their family and they lost it in traumatic circumstances..
My view
Posted on 06-11-2015 14:27 | By My View
I agree with all the above comments. Something has to be done, and soon. We own a Bichon and there is no way I will take her for a walk, I am to afraid to.I feel so sorry for the elderly couple, today they lost their baby, so, so sad. They will never recover from this harrowing experience.
r u sure
Posted on 06-11-2015 14:34 | By Anarchy 289
firstly are we sure this was a pit bull nine out of ten people wouldn't know a bonfide pit bull if was right in front of them. having had them and been involved for over 20 years with them i suggest we look harder at the owners and not the dogs all of my visitors get licked to death not attacked and my dogs are pure pit bulls i strongly believe its once cross breeding happens the problems begin.
r u sure
Posted on 06-11-2015 14:34 | By Anarchy 289
firstly are we sure this was a pit bull nine out of ten people wouldn't know a bonfide pit bull if was right in front of them. having had them and been involved for over 20 years with them i suggest we look harder at the owners and not the dogs all of my visitors get licked to death not attacked and my dogs are pure pit bulls i strongly believe its once cross breeding happens the problems begin.
Misreported
Posted on 06-11-2015 14:50 | By jed
The dog was a bull terrier, not a pitbull. But, bull terriors are awful dogs too.
That dogs is always roaming
Posted on 06-11-2015 15:03 | By fleur
I think I've seen this lovely couple and their dog. I've also seen that pit bull wandering around not tied up. I live way down the road a bit further, and would not walk my dog past this one. Mine is a little Maltese as well. Feel very sad for this couple and their dog. Put the other one down.!!
Jail the owner
Posted on 06-11-2015 16:11 | By Annalist
If the pitbull was off the lead the owner should be made to pay all the expenses of the victim, then jailed for say a year. Dogs should be in control at all times. People first.
So Sad
Posted on 06-11-2015 17:00 | By Sandy Fordyce
These sorts of attacks are senseless. It's such a shame that yet another innocent animal who was under control gets mauled by one that was not. I can not understand the mentality of people who own these dogs without being able to responsibly look after them. Pitbull dogs along with other breeds on the dangerous dog list really need to be carefully handled and by experienced handlers at all time. They are to be muzzled when out in the public, but this is just not happening and not being enforced. It won't matter that the pit bull gets put down, that won't bring back the elderly couples little companion. So sad that this happens to people who no doubt cherish their pets.
dont blame the dogs!!!
Posted on 06-11-2015 18:45 | By JCEB
it has nothing to do with how big the dogs are or what breed they are. at the end of the day, we humans are their handler and owner and we are teaching them how to behave in a human world. ive seen little nutty dogs go all insane too! blame the owners for mistreating and misguiding their dog. dont blame the dog! it was never their intention to grow up in a world ruled by humans. condolences to the elderly couple xo
Capability to Hurt
Posted on 06-11-2015 21:09 | By Surfwatch
These dogs have the ability to kill. Why do people own them. I am tired of hearing its not the dogs fault. While it may not be their fault, they are built and bred to have very strong jaws, sharp teeth and the ability to kill. Ban them, there are plenty of other breeds to choose which are not such killing machines.
Can we make a donation
Posted on 06-11-2015 23:06 | By fleur
Wouldn't it be nice if some people to help towards maybe having the little dog cremated and put in a lovely rimu box ( done at the vets). I have this with my cat. Cost around $250 when I had this done. I would happily put towards this. It shouldn't have happened.
Wisechief
Posted on 07-11-2015 07:52 | By Wise Chief
These types of dogs must be banned as time and time again they have proved to be unpredictable uncontrollable killers.
One eyed
Posted on 07-11-2015 08:22 | By compton
@Anarchy 289, you should type in dog attacks in Liveleak. 99% are APBT's. I owned a pitty for 13 years, lovely dog, but I would never have another one after having kids. My old dog wouldn't hurt a fly, but when it seen a rotty on the beach, straight for the throat. They love to fight. They are not good dogs to have in urban areas.
Why....
Posted on 07-11-2015 12:56 | By GreertonBoy
cant the government just ban the breeding of these dogs from now on... so if people have one, it wont be removed 'until' it bites some one, but if they are all desexed, there should be no more after this lot. So compulsory desexing... of the dogs, not the owners.... um.... well? No of course not? My condolences to the couple who lost their dog... very unnecessary and very unfair.
GreertonBoy
Posted on 07-11-2015 14:30 | By Plonker
The issue is the owners, so change that aspect in your comments, yes agree
Stop demonising bull terriers
Posted on 07-11-2015 15:17 | By Joanne
Well-bred, well-socialised bull terriers are wonderful dogs with a fantastic temperament. The owners of this dog have obviously neglected to train and enforce this dog, hence the attack. It sounds to me like this dog is a status symbol for these people, who sound very ignorant if they are letting their dog roam the neighbour-hood. No dog of any breed should be allowed to roam freely, period.
Humans the problem not the dogs
Posted on 11-11-2015 14:21 | By kellbell
Put the pit bull dog, down ban the breed, and deal severely to the owners who are the real culprits here.
Dog or owners?
Posted on 19-11-2015 03:51 | By Kenworthlogger
So minature poodle owners must be be the best dog owners as they never have any bad attacks like pit bulls.
People who blame the humans are deluded.
Posted on 19-11-2015 09:16 | By jed
If shifting blame to humans somehow justifies dangerous dog breeds then you could say the same about guns. People kill, not guns. SO, lets open up gun ownership.
Jed
Posted on 19-11-2015 18:37 | By Kenworthlogger
Your on to it allright. I have always wanted to own a Kalishnakov but to many do gooders around make it almost impossible because of a naughty few.....
stronger punishments gor bad owners of ANY breed because all dogs have the potential to attack
Posted on 21-11-2015 11:50 | By satan
i own an english bull terrier, and have owned PBTs in the past. i have a large section, fenced and gated with signs he may be running free. hes harmless to my family and other dogs who have visited, but i can accept i do not know how he would react if i were to roam free off property. he only leaves our property harnessed. i make a concious effort to be as responsible as possible as a dog owner, so nothing makes me more angry than people who allow their dogs to roam free like that. not only do they not have any understanding of their dogs behavour when free they are allowing it to develop this habit and agression if its part of their genetic build. if it has that agressiveness to kill then its a ticking time bomb. more punishment for irresponsible owners of ANY breed
for Kalishnikov read Pit Bull,
Posted on 23-11-2015 11:06 | By robin bell
They both represent the attitude of the owners, makes them feel big, tough and untouchable, bit like driving a logging truck really or hiding behind a nick name.Robin Bell.
Really
Posted on 23-11-2015 14:52 | By Kenworthlogger
Is a minature poodle or similar dog capable of ripping a persons face off? Dont remember ever hearing of people having these sorts of dogs for dog fighting. But hey pitbulls and the like can do this. There lays the problem.
@KLogger
Posted on 05-12-2015 18:17 | By morepork
ALL dogs are descended from common wolf-like ancestors. You are right that centuries of selective breeding by humans has given us breeds that are aggressive and others that are not, but they all have the potential to bite. The fact that they generally don't, and instead provide great companionship and company, is down to owners and breeders across centuries. You are right that some breeds are more capable of violence, but you are wrong that removing these will solve the problem. (The kind of people who train dogs to be savage will just move to other breeds or even other species... goats, snakes, even geese have been used in the past as attack/guard animals. We aren't going to give up our dogs; we need to make responsible ownership the only kind of ownership, with much more severe penalties for this kind of incident. Annalist is spot on.
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