Dog euthanised after second attack on child

A dog that bit a child in Oamaru on Friday has been euthanised, the Waitaki District Council confirmed yesterday.

The incident happened in Lynn St, about 8pm, when a child under the age of 15 was bitten on the upper thigh and required hospital treatment.

A subsequent council investigation, that is ongoing, revealed the cross-breed dog that attacked the child was already classed as menacing by the council, after it bit another child in March last year.

In 2017, several complaints had been made about the dog wandering and rushing.

None involved the dog attacking people or other animals.

Waitaki District Council environmental services manager Jason Evered said the dog's owner had informed the council the animal had been put down as a result of last week's incident.

The attack was the 28th overall and fifth on a person reported to the council since June 30, the start of the 2018-19 financial year.

Nine attacks on stock had been reported, eight on other dogs and six on other animals.

''These are similar to the past few years, but I am aware we still have three months left of this year,'' Mr Evered said.

Statistics provided to the Otago Daily Times by Mr Evered showed there were 29 reported dog attacks in 2017-18; 26 in 2016-17; 34 in 2015-16 and 55 in 2014-15.

He said police had been notified about the most recent attack, but that it was the council's responsibility to investigate such incidents.

Mr Evered said dog owners needed to be aware of their responsibilities, particularly if their dog was classed as dangerous or menacing.

''One attack is too many.

''We encourage all owners to be responsible for their dogs and always keep them under control.

''If you are the owner of a menacing or dangerous dog, you must have your dog muzzled whenever it is out in public.

''It is a simple fact a muzzled dog cannot bite anyone and in the case of menacing and dangerous dogs, it is the law.''

daniel.birchfield@odt.co.nz


 

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