A Dunedin teenager plans to defend charges his three pit bull dogs attacked two police officers, and says he is distraught authorities have destroyed two of his "children".
Jayden Lombardi (19) contacted the Otago Daily Times this week.
Two police constables went to a South Dunedin home on Saturday morning following reports of a domestic incident at a Wynyard St property.
When the constables went to arrest Lombardi, three dogs were allegedly set on the officers, who used pepper spray to subdue the dogs' grip on their arms.
Lombardi disputes allegations he ordered his pit bulls - Killer (5), Lilith (1) and Wee Girl (1) to attack the officers.
Two of the dogs had been put down since the incident.
Another is missing.
"I am trying to find her before they do, so they don't destroy her," he said.
The unemployed man appeared in the Dunedin District Court on charges of assault using dogs as weapons against two constables, resisting arrest, and intimidating a person by following them.
