Dog owner prosecuted after toddler viciously attacked in own front yard
The child was attacked by two American bulldogs. File photo.
Photo:
123RF
An Auckland woman has been sentenced to community work after her two dogs seriously injured a toddler in an attack in his own front yard.
The two-year-old was mauled by two roaming American bulldogs that came onto his South Auckland property in March last year.
His shoulder blade was fractured, and he had several serious wounds to his head and neck from the "unprovoked and sustained" attack, the council said.
The dogs continued to attack as the boy's mother lifted him to safety and other people tried to help.
CCTV footage showed the attack only stopped when the dogs were removed by the owners' relatives and driven away, the council said.
The toddler had to have multiple operations and a long stay in hospital.
The dogs' owner Janna Faumui pleaded guilty to charges of owning dogs that attacked a person causing serious injury, the council said.
The judge said he was considering a jail term, but Faumi did not have a previous criminal history, did not appear to be a threat to the community and had shown remorse.
She was sentenced to 150 hours community work and told to pay $2000 in emotional harm reparation to the boy's family.
Both the dogs were voluntarily handed over to the council and euthanised after the attack.
Auckland Council said the case was a wake-up call and all dog owners should make sure they were well trained animals and never allowed to roam.
Councillor Josephine Bartlett said dog owners had to understand those duties and would be prosecuted if they failed.
"It is not okay for dogs to be roaming or uncontrolled. The trauma and injuries inflicted on this child were horrific and entirely preventable," she said.
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