The owner of a dog responsible for biting an Oamaru pensioner has agreed to have the animal destroyed.
Nancy Williams (85) was bitten on the arm and suffered a cut to her head after she was attacked by a dog and knocked to the ground while walking along Usk St on Monday.
Waitaki District Council regulatory services manager Steven May yesterday confirmed the dog involved had been impounded by the council's dog control officer, and would be put down.
Mr May said the owner had co-operated with the council and had given it permission to destroy the dog.
"The owner will receive an infringement fine for not keeping her dog under control and has offered a letter to apology for the elderly victim."
He said the dog's owner had contacted the victim to apologise.
In recent months, the council had been working closely with police to monitor the potential threat posed to the public by dangerous and uncontrolled dogs, and and had visited properties belonging to owners of unregistered dogs to identify those that may be a risk to the public, he said.
The dog, a Labrador-cross, was not on a leash when it attacked the elderly woman, and Mr May said the incident further highlighted the importance of responsible dog ownership and adherence to the council's dog control bylaw.
The victim, who spent three hours in Oamaru Hospital's emergency department following the incident, said yesterday the attack came without warning.
"It just came behind me and the next thing I knew he charged me.
"I lost quite a lot of blood from my head - I fell on the concrete.
"I only have a few marks on my arm.
"I am a bit stiff and getting stiffer, but it could have been worse."
She said although it did not bother her that the dog would be put down, she would not be put off from being around dogs in the future.
