Teen pulled from dog attack
2008-07-16 21:25
Wellington - A motorist saved a teenager being savaged by a snarling pack of pig-hunting dogs in New Zealand by pulling him into the safety of her car, police said Wednesday.
The pitbull-greyhound crossbreeds escaped from their owner's garden and attacked the 13-year-old as he cycled past in the township of Waitoa, North Island, said local police chief Rod Smart.
The boy was recovering from more than six hours of surgery to treat more than 100 bites in his arms and legs, many through to the bone, Waikato Hospital registrar Dr Fiona Neary said.
The dogs were immediately put down by rangers.
"The owner of the dogs tried to pull (them) off the child. He tried his best, but he couldn't keep all four dogs off," Smart said.
Driver Jenny Robinson said she was hesitant to intervene "but then when I saw the boy I just jumped out and my main concern was just the boy".
She pulled him into her vehicle as the canines continued snapping at him. I was "absolutely terrified, but that's the thing at the time, you just do". she said.
Neary said surgeons operated on the boy for six hours.
"I don't think I've ever seen such extensive injuries," she said.
A woman and a man have died in separate dogs attacks in recent years and several children have been badly mauled. New Zealand dog control laws have been stiffened to require the destruction of animals involved.
- AP