The owner of an American bulldog which attacked an elderly person and caused serious facial injuries in Tairua last December has been prosecuted.

The Thames-Coromandel District Council says the owner pleaded guilty to owning a dog that caused serious injury in the Thames District Court in June.

The owner of an American bulldog (not pictured) which attacked an elderly Australian tourist and caused serious facial injuries in December of last year has been prosecuted. Photo: File

The victim was an elderly Australian tourist who required surgery and is still recovering from the attack which took place in Tairua.

The owner has subsequently been sentenced to 100 hours community service and ordered to pay the victim $3,528.27, plus $1,500 towards council's fees for prosecution.

The dog was put down shortly after the owner pleaded guilty to the charge.

Compliance Team leader Steve Hart says this is another clear reminder that dog attacks on people or other animals are taken seriously.

'We have hardened our stance over the past few years in regard to dog attacks and all attacks are investigated and charges can be laid under the Dog Control Act 1996.”

In another incident last year, the owner of three dogs that attacked and fatally wounded a pet dog was convicted in the Waihi Court and was ordered to pay reparation to the victim of $1,341.09.

The three dogs involved were all put down after being surrendered to compliance officers and the owner was prohibited from owning any dog for five years.

Also in 2014, two pitbull dogs that attacked and killed a seal on Tairua beach were euthanised after the owners failed to claim the dogs within the required period of seven days. Three other pitbull dogs that were seized from the same owner were also put down.

Council is also currently investigating an incident involving a fatal attack on domestic hens in Whangamata.

Steve says a dog has been seized in relation to this incident and is currently being held in the pound pending the conclusion of an investigation into this matter.

'We encourage responsible dog ownership and suggest that if a dog displays any aggressive behaviour then owners should seek professional training immediately and also get in touch with us.

'Any aggressive behaviour shown by a dog needs to be taken seriously by its owner before another animal or person is attacked.”

Steve adds: 'Prevention through professional training is essential to avoid an owner facing serious consequences and the dog possibly being euthanised.”

In the year ended June 2015, council's Compliance Team investigated 23 attacks by dogs on people and 63 on other animals.

In the case of minor attacks owners may face infringements and the dog may be classified as either menacing or dangerous depending on the circumstances.

'Owners have obligations under the Act to ensure their dogs are kept under control at all times, which includes within private property,” says Steve.

'They [must] take all reasonable steps to ensure that their dogs do not injure, endanger, intimidate or otherwise cause distress to any persons or animals.”