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Robert Kitchin / Things
Two children were injured after a dog attack in Ōpōtiki [file photo].
Two children were seriously injured after a dog attack in Ōpōtiki, and one almost had his ear cut off.
The dog attack occurred around 7 p.m. Saturday on Ford St in the eastern city of the Bay of Plenty.
One of the boys, who was seven and nine years old, had his ear nearly cut off, Sgt. Mike Mackenzie said.
“We are still talking to witnesses, but it appears the dog jumped over a fence and attacked.”
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Both children had to be transferred to the hospital.
Mackenzie said it was the duty of dog owners to keep their dogs in their yards.
The dog that attacked was considered a “dangerous” dog and pending the results of the investigation, it is possible that the dog will be euthanized, he said.
Ōpōtiki woman Maude Maxwell, whose family was subjected to a dog attack in January 2013, said the community had a role to play in solving her problem with dogs.
“Report all stray dogs, you know where they live and who they belong to,” he said.
Gerard McCormack, planning and regulatory manager for the Ōpōtiki District Council, said the matter was under investigation.
“Given the injuries involved, the issue is with the police, and they are the lead agency as we support them,” he said.
“Two unregistered dogs, including the one that carried out the attack, have been removed from the property.
“They were seized while the investigation was ongoing.”
– Report from ōpōtiki News
