Schoolchildren bitten by stray dogs
Two dogs have been impounded after they chased and attacked four Auckland school children.
Three Kings Primary in Mt Eden was put in lockdown following the attacks, which happened on July 28 at 1.15pm.
School principal Jo Willmoth says two dogs came onto the school field at lunchtime.
Four children received puncture and surface wounds to their legs, arms and buttocks and were treated by St John ambulance staff. Two of the children were later taken to an accident and emergency centre by their parents.
Christo van der Merwe, Auck- land Council’s animal management team leader for central and east, says the dogs - a black labrador cross and a German shepherd/Staffordshire bull terrier cross - had left before his staff arrived.
They ran down Mt Albert Rd but were found about two hours later after a search by four animal management officers.
‘‘I’m grateful that they managed to get the dogs reasonably quickly. It is difficult in a built-up area because the dogs can disappear into somebody’s property,’’ Van der Merwe says.
Both the dogs were registered, microchipped and desexed. They were impounded and council staff were interviewing their owner, he says.