Pit bull a 'loaded shotgun'

A man who left his pit bull unrestrained like a "loaded shotgun" is facing a possible jail sentence after the dog savaged an occupational therapist on a house visit.

Rangi Kenrick, 38, appeared in Hastings District Court yesterday to plead guilty to owning a dog that seriously injured a person, and owning an unregistered dog.

Judge Geoff Rea said leaving the dog unrestrained was "like leaving a loaded shotgun lying around".

The attack happened when the occupational therapist went to Kenrick's house at Pakipaki, south of Hastings, on August 27 to treat Kenrick's mother.

The woman had been to the house before and had never noticed a dog. She knocked on the door several times then shouted to her patient, but received no response.

She walked to the side of the property. As she went through an open gate, a black medium-sized pit bull terrier ran at her from the back of the property.

The dog bit her many times on her left elbow, left thigh and calf, and right index finger, inflicting serious wounds.

When she screamed for help, Kenrick's mother came and pulled the dog away. A neighbour took the therapist to hospital, where she needed surgery and stayed for seven days.

When animal control officers confronted Kenrick, he admitted the dog was his. It was impounded and two days later it was destroyed.

Under the Dog Control Act, Kenrick could be sentenced to prison for up to three years or fined up to $20,000, or both.

Kenrick's lawyer, Richard Stone, said there was a sign on the property warning visitors about the dog, which was usually kept behind two gates.

Mr Stone requested a sentence of community work.

Judge Rea requested a reparation report for Kenrick's sentencing later this month.

- © Fairfax NZ News