Dangerous dog that should have been muzzled bites child, takes chunk out of neighbour's leg
A man has been left suffering nightmares after a dangerous dog “viciously” latched onto his thigh when he went to intervene in an attack on two young children.
The victim had minutes earlier been bitten on the forearm, after Hunter, a Staffordshire bull terrier American pitbull cross, and Iris, a Staffordshire bull terrier, charged at two young children.
One of the children, a 9-year-old boy, had also been bitten by Hunter.
Both dogs have previously come to the council’s attention for “attacks on people and dogs, aggressive behaviour and roaming”.
Now their owner, Maria Thompson, has appeared in the Hamilton District Court.
Thompson was due to stand trial on multiple charges on Tuesday, but instead pleaded guilty to two charges, and had three others withdrawn by the Hamilton City Council.
She had earlier pleaded guilty to two other charges, and was convicted by Judge Arthur Tompkins and remanded to reappear in court in November for sentencing on all four charges, including the most serious of owning a dog that has attacked a person, causing serious injury.
That charge carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison or a $20,000 fine.
Swung his head viciously from side to side
The court heard that Hunter was classified as dangerous, and Iris was classified as menacing, on December 6, 2023, because of a previous attack on a person, aggressive behaviour, and roaming.
The pair were to be muzzled in public and controlled on a leash.
On September 25, 2024, the 9-year-old victim and his sister were playing on the footpath outside their home in Norrie St, Hamilton.
Court documents state Hunter, who is tri-coloured, and Iris, black and tan, ran out of an alleyway on Norrie St and headed straight, towards the children “in an aggressive manner”.
The victim and his sister saw the dogs and turned to run home, screaming.
The dogs chased them onto their property, where Hunter bit the boy on his forearm.
One of Thompson’s neighbours witnessed the attack and called the two dogs away.
Hunter and Iris then ran back across the street towards the neighbour and jumped up at him.
The victim put his elbow out to ward Hunter off but was bitten.
Thinking the attack was over, the neighbour then turned to walk back home but Hunter ran towards him and jumped back over Thompson’s fence onto the footpath where he was standing.
Hunter then bit the back of the man’s right thigh, latching on and swinging his head “viciously” from side to side, pulling the victim to the ground.
After a short time, Hunter let him go and returned home to Thompson’s property.
Realising that he was seriously injured, the victim called an ambulance and was taken to hospital.
He underwent surgery for a “large laceration” of a skin flap, approximately 15x10cm, on his thigh.
The man, who has suffered nightmares, received skin grafts and required an overnight stay in hospital.
The child suffered puncture wounds, bruising, and scratches to his forearm.
They were both on the road
When spoken to by police, Thompson said on the evening of the attack she heard children yelling and came out of her house to see what was happening. She saw Hunter and Iris on the road.
She said her neighbour had hold of a chain that was attached to Iris, and she called both dogs back to her.
Hunter came back, but then he heard Iris “make noise”, so he jumped the fence and attacked the neighbour.
Seeking destruction of Hunter
The council is now seeking the destruction of Hunter, and reparation for both victims.
In the event a fine is handed down, the council is seeking that half be paid to them.
Both Hunter and Iris have previously come to the council’s attention for “attacks on people and dogs, aggressive behaviour and roaming”.
Belinda Feek is an Open Justice reporter based in Waikato. She has worked at NZME for 11 years and has been a journalist for 22.
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