A Welcome Bay man whose dog viciously attacked a man leaving him with wounds to both legs will appear in court next month.

The American pitbull terrier mastiff cross dog remains at the Tauranga City council pound.

The 48-year-old man, who cannot be named under court purposes, will make his first appearance in Tauranga Registrars Court on May 1 for one charge under the Dog Control Act of owning a dog that attacked a person.

Tauranga City Council animal services team leader Brent Lincoln says on March 30 the American pitbull terrier mastiff cross dog attacked a 60-year-old man while he was visiting the accused's property.

It is believed the two men were known to each other.

'In simple terms it was visitor to the property was attacked by an American pitbull terrier mastiff cross dog.”

'He had bites on both legs so they are reasonably serious in terms of the attack.”

Brent says the injured man drove himself to hospital for treatment before later reporting the attack to council.

The dog remains in the council pound pending the outcome of court proceedings