Dog that fatally attacked newborn held by council while police investigate

The fate of a dog that attacked a newborn baby who later died is at stake as police continue to investigate.

The 1-day-old baby was reportedly bitten and dragged by the Rottweiler on Sunday night at a home in Hamilton.

He was rushed to Waikato Hospital in critical condition and died overnight Monday.

Hamilton City Council now holds the dog and another, believed to be a type of Staffordshire Terrier.

Both are believed to have lived at the Enderley address where the attack occurred at around 7 p.m.

The Chairman of the Dog Control Hearing Panel, Councilman Ewan Wilson, said the Rottweiler was registered but the other dog was not. He did not know why.

“We were asked to respond on behalf of the police. The animal is being held until the police complete their investigation.

“If the investigation leads to charges, we will continue to keep the animal safe until the court’s decision.

“If the court orders the dog’s destruction, the dog will be destroyed.”

Wilson said that if police did not press charges, the owner could turn the dog over to the council for destruction.

But even if police did not press charges, the council would not return the dog to its owner, he said.

The council would then conduct its own investigation under the Animal Control Act.

“If we decide to prosecute, we would go directly to the District Court to obtain an order for the destruction of the dog.”

The subject of any investigation by the council would be the registered owner, as well as who was in control of the dog at the time of the attack.

Wilson said he did not know who the dog’s registered owner was. He said the situation could drag on for many months.

The newborn’s mother said on social media that she wished she could go back in time.

He posted a moving message online yesterday acknowledging his devastating loss and the events of the past few days.

Sharing a photo of herself relaxing outside on a sunny day, sitting on the grass and looking out over a river, she shared the words:

“If only I could go back to this day with [you] still in my belly, my son. “

Friends and family offered their condolences and support to the woman.

One wrote: “I have no words, my friend. We are all trying to bear your loss for you, but I guess you won’t even feel it because the weight is so heavy.

“We love you … and we have you. Hold on and breathe.”

The young mother also shared a photo of her little one who appears to be asleep with his hands raised near his cheeks in little fists.

Neighbors who rushed to help the mother and her baby described disturbing scenes. One woman told Stuff that it appeared the animal had tried to bury the baby after attacking him.

Brothers Takilesi and Junior Afamasaga told Newshub that they ran after hearing the woman’s cries for help and faced tragedy.

“[She] I was just trying to keep the baby awake, trying to keep him crying.

“She asked me for a cloth, so I took off the hoodie and gave it to her directly,” said one of the brothers.

It is understood that the mother was in the bathroom when the attack occurred.

The child’s death has been referred to a forensic doctor.

Animal behaviorist Mark Vette told NewstalkZB that dogs didn’t naturally learn who their extended family was, they needed to be taught and exposed to them during the early stages.

That was particularly important when introducing a baby or children, for example, in a matter of a few months.

“Don’t leave your baby alone in the early stages, at all.

“When the baby comes into the house, he is a new being. He behaves very differently from adults. It can be very unusual and a little scary or threatening to hear the baby cry, for the dog,” he said.

“So that evaluation must be done from the beginning, that your dog is really safe with his baby.”

– Additional reporting: Nikki Preston