Two sides to dog attacks, says victim's grandfather

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

By LAUREL STOWELL - Wanganui Chronicle

The Grandfather of a boy who was severely bitten by a dog is feeling sorry for his grandson but also for the family that owns the pooch.

Dick Puohotaua said his first impulse when he heard that eight-year-old Jackson Tamatea’s cheek had been virtually torn off by the male bull mastiff-Staffordshire terrier cross was to get revenge.

“At the time I was wild and I wanted to take a gun and go and shoot him myself.”

The incident happened about 6.30 on Friday night, when Jackson and his uncle were visiting friends in Manuka St, Castlecliff.

The boy was being looked after by his uncle over the Christmas period.





He had been to the Manuka St house before.
There was only one dog on the property. It was six years old and a beloved family pet.

“He was a bloody nice dog, nice natured. The guy that owns him walks him all the time. He’s well looked after,” Mr Puohotaua said.

He understood his grandson may have been teasing or playing with the dog.

It was uplifted and taken away as soon as the Wanganui District Council animal control officer was notified.

The boy’s face was so bad his grandad couldn’t even look at it when he met him at hospital.

“There was blood all over the place.”

Young Jackson was in surgery by 9pm on Friday night and had 49 stitches. He now had a big horseshoe-shaped scar on his face.

Mr Puohotaua said it was lucky he was a big strong boy for his age, and may have been able to push the dog away and prevent more injury.

Having been a shepherd, he had had lots of dogs himself and said you couldn’t always trust them. It was best to shut them away when children came around.

And adults in charge also needed to keep a close eye on children in their care who were around dogs.

He speculated that a six-year-old dog may have got beyond the playful stage, and he knew that some dogs lost their tolerance for children as they got older.

He had had a couple of days to think about what happened on Friday, and came to the conclusion that the dog shouldn’t necessarily be put down.

The final decision could be made tomorrow, when the full facts are aired with the council.