Dog bites in the news again

[nitpicker1]

Re http://xtranewscommunity2.smfforfree.com/index.php/topic,14738.0/msg,164600.html

.............................


Quote from the linked news item:

...The responsibility for children being bitten needed to be put ''fairly and squarely'' on the parents, not the dogs, he said, especially if the dog had been tormented by children and the ''danger signs'' were ignored.

''The dog has tolerated and tolerated it, until one day he says `I'm over this' and has a crack.

''It's the parents not taking responsibility for the actions of their own dogs.

''It's not the dogs' fault. The dogs need their own space and their own time out.''

Often, dogs attacked because they were ''scared stiff'' rather than aggressive, Mr Hanlin said.

Several dog owners had a false confidence their dogs would never bite, but no-one could make that guarantee, he said. ...

More at
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/351814/dog-problems-train-people

[reality]

just give them the wet bus ticket treatment.....the attacks will go on...due to the kid gloves attitude of our legal system

[guest49]

just give them the wet bus ticket treatment.....the attacks will go on...due to the kid gloves attitude of our legal system

Yes, the parents of these obnoxious kids must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!
I find it distressing that these dogs have been subjected to incessant harassment and now find themselves blamed for offences promulgated by the children and condoned by the adults.

[reality]

I have heard convincing reports from residents in some areas of dogs being made more vicious for the industry of dog fighting....the whole thing needs to be taken more seriously by our crime fighting services

...in NZ you can commit crime and not even be removed from your comfort zone ...there's no gain..because there's no pain

[reality]

America has guns....NZ has baby murderers and vicious dogs

..and the population put up with it year after year...stupid eh ..even for a rail worker?..nah..they are fucking stupid



Dog attack victim says owners must be prosecuted

 A woman is in Hutt Valley Hospital after receiving serious injuries in a dog attack in Hastings on Saturday.
SUPPLIED
A woman is in Hutt Valley Hospital after receiving serious injuries in a dog attack in Hastings on Saturday.

A woman who suffered serious injuries in a dog attack in Hastings has told how she thought she was going to die.

The woman, is in her sixties, was the second of two women attacked by the dogs near Whirinaki beach, north of Napier, on the weekend.

She suffered a significant bite injury to her arm and was admitted to Hawke's Bay Hospital before being transferred to Hutt Valley Hospital, where she received specialist care and is presently in a stable condition.

The woman received several puncture wounds.
Supplied
The woman received several puncture wounds.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said she had been making her regular walk along Whirinaki Road when she saw a white bull terrier several hundred metres ahead of her.

"I saw the dog on the road. I thought 'No, I'm not going up there, I'll turn around and go home'.

"So I did, and the next thing I know it's right beside me. I thought ' oh my god, what am I going to do now?' So I just stopped," she said.

At least one other dog joined the bull terrier. They began barking at her and "next thing I know they attacked me".

"I'm screaming and screaming. They circled around me. Nobody was around. The house I was outside had a little picket fence so I jumped over that. But the white one came racing round and that's when it started to attack me again. I had an umbrella in my right hand. I was trying to defend myself with that. I must have used my left had two, because that's where it got me," the woman said.

Fortunately a young girl at a neighbouring house alerted her father to what was occurring.

"He came out and saved me. If it hadn't been for him I probably wouldn't be here today, I don't think. I'm not scared of dogs, but I don't know if I'll be able to get out there for a while," the woman said.

"I tell you what I'll prosecute the owners if no-one else does. They need to be held responsible. A child wouldn't have stood a chance against that white thing," she said.

The woman suffered a deep cut to her arm, several bite wounds to her bottom and one to her torso.

About 45 minutes before she was attacked there was another attack by three dogs on a woman running on the beach at Whirinaki. The woman, who is in her thirties, was pulled to the ground and suffered multiple puncture wounds and lacerations to her upper arm, her armpit and buttocks.

The dogs, all male, were a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a Mastiff cross and a Rhodesian Ridgeback cross.

They have been seized by Hastings District Council animal welfare officers. A spokeswoman said two had been relinquished by their owners and will be destroyed.

The owner of the third dog is in discussions with the council.

The council is now considering what action it might take, if any, against the owners.
 - Stuff

[reality]

..yup..America has a misuse of gun problem..we have a misuse of dog attacking children problem....and both countries have shown that they want to continue with the status quo...aint democracy great..you get what you want


99,000 dog bites in 10 years: Boy, 6, latest victim

5:00 AM Wednesday Oct 14, 2015

New Zealanders must be protected, says surgeon.

A study published in August reported that 99,000 dog bites have been recorded in the last 10 years. Photo / iStock

A 6-year-old Bay of Plenty boy received life-threatening injuries when he was viciously attacked by a relative's dog, reigniting calls for the Government to get tougher on dog control.

The boy is in intensive care in Middlemore Hospital's plastics unit after the attack near Paengaroa, 32km southeast of Tauranga.

It is understood he suffered extensive facial injuries in Sunday's attack. The dog belonged to a member of his extended family, who are "deeply shocked". The family are supporting the boy at his bedside.

The attack has prompted the New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons president Dr Sally Langley to call for tougher dog-control laws.

"This is life-changing. This will affect the child and his family's socialisation, his education and work potential. It is far reaching and there will be many psycho-social effects.


"We really do need to call for some action. The members of our society are all very concerned about the high incidences ... we have all done a lot of work with dog-bite victims, we regularly see them."

A study published in August reported that 99,000 dog bites have been recorded in the last 10 years. More than 5800 required hospitalisation.

In the latest serious attack, the boy was rushed to Tauranga Hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was transferred by the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter to Starship that night.

He arrived in a critical condition and required extensive surgery before he was moved to a specialist unit at Middlemore for more surgery.

The attack has been reported to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council and is being investigated by police.

Council spokesman Peter Hennessey said the dog, believed to be between 4- and 5-years-old, was an unregistered "border collie-type" and has been put down following the attack.

"The owner of the dog relinquished it to council," he said.

"The dog has been put down, eliminating the risk to public safety completely. This is not a breed usually associated with such attacks."

He said it was unclear exactly what happened, but that the dog was believed to be owned by a relative of the boy and had only been with the owner for four months.

"In terms of a safety message, we can't reiterate enough the importance of ensuring children are never left unattended with a dog. Again, we also stress the importance of registering your dog."

Dr Langley said the Government needed to do more to ensure people were protected from dangerous dogs.

She was not directly involved in Sunday's case, but said the victim would likely suffer a lifetime of social and medical implications.

She believed the Government needed to look at whether certain dog breeds should be banned, and whether local governments were able to deal with issues sufficiently.

Under the Dog Control Act, all dogs are required to be registered and microchipped and kept under control and looked after. Some breeds are illegal to import.

Fees, penalties and dogs classified as dangerous are overseen by councils, but criminal action can also be taken through the courts.

National's Associate Local Government Minister, Louise Upston, said an assessment of the country's dog-control laws by the Department of Internal Affairs last year found no need for change.

"The conclusions were that New Zealand is not markedly out of step with other similar countries and further changes to dog-control regulations would not necessarily better protect people from harm," she said.

However, Labour's local government spokesman, Su'a William Sio, said current laws were failing to protect New Zealanders.

"If it's not working then it is high-time legislation. It doesn't give anyone confidence does it? The more these things keep happening the more we need to find proper solutions."

Dog attacks in NZ
• 99,000 dog bites in NZ since 2004.

• More than 5800 required hospitalisation.

• Nearly two-thirds occurred at private residences.

• Children under 9, Maori and those in low socio-economic areas are at greatest risk.

• Most children received facial injuries.
Source: The Burden of Dogbite Injuries in New Zealand: 2004-2014

- NZ Herald

[reality]

America has to many guns...but wont change the rules to protect its people
NZ has to many vicious dogs....but wont change its laws to protect its people

..ahhhhh...the voice of the people doing its job... aint democracy great


Pit bull mauls 10-year-old Christchurch boy
 

A Pit bull roaming free viciously attacked 10 year old Izyah Hesp.

A 10-year-old boy could only scream as a pit bull mauled his leg outside his Christchurch home.

The dog was put down after the attack, which left Izyah Hesp in hospital for 10 days. His parents are angry the dog was not secured.

Izyah was playing outside his Aranui home on October 30, when his cousin shouted "there's a pit bull running down the street".

Izyah Hesp, 10, was playing outside in his front yard when a roaming pit bull attacked him.
IAIN MCGREGOR/FAIRFAX NZ
Izyah Hesp, 10, was playing outside in his front yard when a roaming pit bull attacked him.

"I jumped up on the fence to see it and then it just came and jumped up at me and ripped me off the fence.

"I was scared as soon as I saw him... He was on me for about six or seven seconds. I tried to kick him off with my left leg, but I just couldn't get him off me."

Neighbours came to the rescue, scaring the American pit bull cross away.

"[They] heard me screaming and my sister crying and the dog making a growling sound."

The neighbours took Izyah to the steps of his home.

His mother, Hollie Pickering, was "terrified" by his leg injury.

"I was in complete panic mode, I didn't know what to do.

Ad Feedback

"It just looked so bad, I didn't know how to grab his leg or anything because I didn't know if it was hanging there or what."

Izyah's father, Ieni Hesp, arrived home shortly after.

"All I could think was he might lose his leg."

Ieni Hesp said it was "lucky" Izyah had jumped up on the fence and not stayed on the ground.

"If he was at ground level it could have been up around his chest or around his neck."

Izyah spent 10 days in hospital, undergoing several surgeries to clean out and remove flesh that could not be saved, as well as a skin graft to repair his quadriceps.

Described by his parents as "outgoing, active and pretty cheeky", Izyah is a Canterbury Rugby League representative and burgeoning boxer, which he will have to give up for at least six months.

"He will make a full recovery," Pickering said.

"He will walk again, but it's just a matter of letting it heal."

The attack has made him scared of dogs.

"I don't really want to go near dogs until I'm an adult," he said.

Ieni Hesp said he was "angry" the dog, belonging to a neighbour, was not properly secured.

"If people are going to own dogs like that they need to be responsible and make sure their properties are secure."

Christchurch City Council's unit manager regulatory compliance Tracey Weston, said the council received a complaint about the incident and was investigating.

"As a result of this incident [the dog] was voluntarily euthanised by the dog owner."

 - Stuff

[reality]

...nah...dog should have been put down ..and the owners punished some how...and I dont mean the "wet bus ticket" treatment..perhaps never being able to own dogs again...something that actually sends a message about responsibility 


American Pitbull degloved woman but owner says he should have Christmas at home

 Lennox the Americn Pitbull is being held at the Hastings District Council dog pound, but his owner wants him home for Christmas
Lennox the Americn Pitbull is being held at the Hastings District Council dog pound, but his owner wants him home for Christmas

The owner of a dog responsible for ripping the skin off a woman"s hand has asked the animal be released to spend Christmas at home.

Lennox, a 55kg American Pitbull Terrier cross, bit and "degloved" a school teacher who was visiting the Flaxmere home of the Fa'alele family on October 8.

The teacher, who had arranged to meet Matthew Fa'alele and his partner, spoke briefly to children on the property and noticed Lennox standing silently. After a short time she tried to let herself in by reaching over a gate and releasing a latch.

As she did so Lennox jumped and bit her right hand. The bite degloved her hand, nearly completely removing the skin from her hand.

Fa'alele apologised and the woman was taken to hospital.

READ MORE: * Dog involved in attack near Napier to remain in pound over Christmas

The attack was reported to the council on October 12, but when animal control officers went to the property Fa'alele said he had removed Lennox. He was found at the property on November 24 and has been held at Hastings District Council pound ever since.

Fa'alele is being prosecuted for owning a dog causing a serious injury and the matter is likely to be heard in Hastings District Court next month.

But in the meantime, Fa'alele has appealed to the council to release Lennox until the hearing, when his fate will be decided.

In a letter to the council Fa'alele has asked that "our youngest family member who is also our pet dog" spend Christmas with the family, especially Fa'alele's three young children aged under eight.

Ad Feedback

Fa'alele said if Lennox was allowed home he would ensure the dog was fully muzzled if taken off the property and would be kept in a separate fenced-off part of the section.

"He is a loving dog and an important part of our family," Fa'alele said.

In a report to the council's Hearings committee staff said Lennox did not display the usual characteristics of an aggressive dog, but that was not unusual for this type of dog.

The Dog Control Act required dogs to be held in custody until a prosecution is determined, unless a council is satisfied the dog will not threaten the safety of any person, stock, pets or wildlife.

The appeal, set down for Tuesday, will be the second such appeal heard by the council in a fortnight. Earlier this month Kayla Bremner was unsuccessful in having her Rhodesian ridgeback Rascal released for Christmas.

Rascal, was one of three dogs involved in an October 3 attack at Whirinaki Beach, north of Napier, which left two women requiring hospital treatment.

Bremner has pleaded guilty to owning a dog that rushed a person causing injury and is due to be sentenced in the Napier District Court in February.

 - Stuff

[Alicat]

...nah...dog should have been put down ..and the owners punished some how...and I dont mean the "wet bus ticket" treatment..perhaps never being able to own dogs again...something that actually sends a message about responsibility 


American Pitbull degloved woman but owner says he should have Christmas at home

I think the owner of this particular dog is being very naive if he thinks the dog won't attack again. We only have what was reported in the news media, however I wonder what has happened in the dogs life that we don't know about. In any event, the owner has children. I'd be concerned for my kids' safety.

[Alicat]

Everyone knows I'm a cat person - always have been and always will be. That said, I really like some dogs but am a little wary around those dogs who don't have responsible owners. There are some lovely well contained and well disciplined dogs - those who have been well trained and their owners have the control, but there are also many bad dog (make that pet) owners out there.

[guest49]

I have been owner by one dog or another all my life.  I am currently onto my 6th German Shepherd.
There is no such thing as a "safe" dog.  Its behaviour is regulated by what is going through its mind at the time.  The best trained and behaved dog may perceive something completely harmless as a threat to itself or its family and react.
Of course, there are dogs less liable to self start than others, but having said that a dog ranger one told me the dog he treated with most respect was the Labrador.  He had been opened up 3 times, once right down to the bone.  On each occasion it was a Labrador - a dog that people consider the most friendly of breeds.
There are also very unstable breeds, and the American Pitbull is one. 

[Alicat]

I have been owner by one dog or another all my life.  I am currently onto my 6th German Shepherd.
There is no such thing as a "safe" dog.  Its behaviour is regulated by what is going through its mind at the time.  The best trained and behaved dog may perceive something completely harmless as a threat to itself or its family and react.
Of course, there are dogs less liable to self start than others, but having said that a dog ranger one told me the dog he treated with most respect was the Labrador.  He had been opened up 3 times, once right down to the bone.  On each occasion it was a Labrador - a dog that people consider the most friendly of breeds.
There are also very unstable breeds, and the American Pitbull is one. 

Precisely. I'm very scared of the American Pitbulls - I cannot be convinced they are a dog breed we should have in NZ.

[dragontamer]

I have been owner by one dog or another all my life.  I am currently onto my 6th German Shepherd.
There is no such thing as a "safe" dog.  Its behaviour is regulated by what is going through its mind at the time.  The best trained and behaved dog may perceive something completely harmless as a threat to itself or its family and react.
Of course, there are dogs less liable to self start than others, but having said that a dog ranger one told me the dog he treated with most respect was the Labrador.  He had been opened up 3 times, once right down to the bone.  On each occasion it was a Labrador - a dog that people consider the most friendly of breeds.
There are also very unstable breeds, and the American Pitbull is one. 

Precisely. I'm very scared of the American Pitbulls - I cannot be convinced they are a dog breed we should have in NZ.

I love the faces of pitbulls, but not enough to own one, nor approach one I don't know really well.   

I do strongly believe that it is the owner that is the problem more than the dog.  This extends to those owners who believe they are exceptional and great owners but don't understand the pack system - the attack by the three Irish Wolf Hounds the other week is case in point.  The owner severely over estimated their own abilities and control while under estimating the pack factor.  Idiots!

[guest49]

Oh, without a doubt DT.  A bad or inept owner can turn the most benign of animals into a nasty untrustworthy timebomb.

Still, with all my experience of dogs, I still get concerned at times when someone - especially children - approaches my dog, even though I believe him to be harmless.  He has the size and ability to hospitalise someone in seconds - and even though I am sure he wouldn't, nothing is ever certain in life.

[reality]

..the dog owners should pay...or is it time to have an acc levy included in dog registration fees:


Editorial: Lack of ACC adds insult to bite injuries

8:17 AM Friday Jan 15, 2016Add a comment

Six weeks ago, a woman delivering the Dunedin morning newspaper was set upon by three Irish wolfhounds. She suffered injuries to much of her body and needed extensive surgery. This week, it was reported a skin graft had failed to take, so she may require more time in hospital. The mauling left the woman traumatised and sleep-deprived.

Little wonder. Irish wolfhounds are large dogs, though they do not feature in local authority statistics for troubling behaviour. Nonetheless, all dogs can bite and pack behaviour is unpredictable, as the woman on the dawn newspaper run sadly discovered. Having survived the frightening attack, the woman has now found income assistance provided by law through ACC is limited because of her circumstances. The victim is a beneficiary, though she has - or rather had - part-time work.

The delivery job provided limited income, and the state assisted with an abated benefit. Her injuries are such she cannot return to the paper round, and she has been forced to give up another part-time job.


The woman is caught in a situation where her benefit was topped-up by income from the jobs she did. Had she been fully employed, she would have been entitled to 80 per cent of her income from ACC while she was off work. That support would have helped ease her discomfort.

Because her income is limited, it makes economic sense she reverts to her full benefit entitlement as she recovers from her injuries. ACC covers her medical treatment and rehabilitation needs, but does not enter the picture on the income front. Unsurprisingly, the woman has complained she is feeling financially squeezed, and struggling to pay her bills. Any lump sum payment must await an assessment of permanent disability, which for the victim could be some time off, years even.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley has asked her agency to ensure that the woman was getting everything she was entitled to through the welfare system. It could be that she receives an emergency payment to help meet her commitments - but that may need to be repaid.

For the moment though, the only additional support the victim seems certain to get is cash from a Givealittle appeal. That presently stands at just over $2000. By its nature, the law creates anomalies. Clearly not all dog bite victims are equal.

Had the target of the Dunedin wolfhounds been say a lawyer out for an early morning run, then the corporation would be paying regular cheques into their bank until they were deemed ready to return to work.

The woman was partly in the paid workforce. But her income was not adequate enough to get by without state support, and insufficient for ACC's 80 per cent income threshold to be of any use.

Some years ago, ACC closed a loophole that stopped some criminals injured while offending getting entitlements. But the law did allow the minister discretion in these matters. It seems harsh the law permits compassion in the matter of criminals, but not in the case of a woman torn into as she put the morning paper in a city's letterboxes.

- NZ Herald

[guest49]

Dog registration is a rort.  Once apon a time it paid for hydatids dosing and a few other things like collars etc.
Not now.  The fees have gone up and up, but the services have vanished.
Might be time the councils ponied up a bit of the gold they suck out of the owners, to pay for ACC cover

[reality]

Nah....dog owners need to take responsibility for their dogs...if they cant afford the cost...dont own a dog...at present we all subsidise dog owners