A Matapihi man, whose three-year-old pitbull dog attacked his three-year-old nephew on March 27, lost a battle for name suppression today.

Aaron James Kohu, 41, appeared in Tauranga District Court today charged with owning a dog that attacked another person.

The three-year-old boy was bitten on the face by a dog at a Matapihi property last month.

Kohu sought name suppression through duty lawyer Genevieve Denize saying his sick mother, who lives at the same address, doesn't know about the attack and publication of Kohu's name will cause extreme distress.

The argument was opposed by police in the Registrar's Court. It was sent before Community Magistrate Sherida Cooper, who says being upset is not sufficient.

'People will know about it and probably will be upset about it,” says the magistrate.

The charges relate to an incident at a Waikari Road property last month where police say the three-year-old boy from Hastings was playing in the yard near Kohu's dog when he was bitten.

The toddler suffered a 6 centimetre long gash under his right eye. Police say the adult male pitbull cross dog was on a 3 metre long chain at the time.

The dog was seized by animal control officers and remains in the pound. An order for the dog's destruction is sought.

St John Ambulance acting district operations manager Ross Clark said at the time the boy suffered facial lacerations. He was expected to make a good recovery.

Kohu is remanded without plea until May 15.