Dangerous dog destroyed after biting house visitor

Prince the wayward dog has been put down after biting a childcare worker visiting his owner's home.

Owner Garth Thompson yesterday pleaded guilty to breaching New Plymouth District Council dog bylaws, accepting the dog had to be euthanased.

While Prince's father, King, had been well trained as a guard dog to protect Thompson's premises, his son Prince had not, Thompson's lawyer, Julian Hannam told the New Plymouth District Court.

"Sadly Prince was left to his own devices and became a wayward dog."

Prince, which had already been tagged a dangerous dog for previous misdemeanours, had lunged at the woman on September 24 biting her on the hand.

Thompson was ordered to pay $500 to repay the outstanding registration for both dogs, $140 towards the prosecution and $130 court costs. He was convicted and discharged for not keeping a dangerous dog under control.

A New Plymouth burglar had been sent to jail to join his partner in crime.

Shay Wilson was sentenced to six months' jail following a burglary. The two went into a property and stole gear, much of which had not been recovered, the judge said. Wilson's co-offender had already been given a six months' sentence. Wilson's fines of $1735 were remitted but he was ordered to pay $1600 in reparation.

Jamie Bendall, 21, clocked up $18,000 in outstanding fines for traffic offences, the court heard. And yesterday he admitted his third driving while disqualified offence. The judge said if Bendall did it again he would be jailed and in addition would also spend one week for every $1000 he owed in jail. Bendall was also disqualified for driving for another year.