Dogs put down, investigation ongoing

INFORMATION is still being gathered about the mauling of a Winton man by two Rottweilers on Sunday.

The dogs were euthanised by a vet yesterday, and the family of the injured man said it was pleased this had occurred.

Southland District Council environmental services group manager Bruce Halligan said yesterday statements were being gathered from everyone involved in the incident. That should be complete by the end of next week.

A decision would then be made on whether further action would be taken under the Dog Control Act.

A member of the family of Oliver Beaumont, who was injured in the attack, said Mr Beaumont was recovering well and was at home.

Neighbour Annie Burazor, the first person on the scene of the mauling, said it was a relief the dogs would not be living there.

THE family of Oliver Beaumont, who was mauled by two Rottweilers in Winton on Sunday, say they are happy the dogs have been put down.

A Southland District Council spokeswoman said the two dogs were euthanised by a vet yesterday.

The owners of the dogs had voluntarily surrendered them and had been cooperative in the process.

Southland District Council environmental services group manager Bruce Halligan said information was still being gathered on the attack on the 22yearold Winton man, who suffered injuries.

The council was yet to make a decision on whether further action would be taken under the Dog Control Act, and no decision would be made until statements from everyone involved had been received, Mr Halligan said.

Mr Halligan believed all statements should be gathered by the end of next week.

A family member yesterday said the family was ‘‘quite happy’’ the dogs were no more.

Mr Beaumont was recovering well, having had two staples removed after undergoing surgery at Southland Hospital following the attack, she said.

‘‘He’s just been chilling around the house.’’

Neighbour Annie Burazor, who was first on the scene of the mauling, and managed to help Mr Beaumont to safety and administer first aid after an offduty police officer drove away the dogs, said she was glad the dogs were gone.

‘‘It’s a relief that they won’t be living next door again.’’

The partner of the owner of one of the two Rottweilers, who asked to remain anonymous, said earlier this week the ‘‘lovely’’ dogs were not at fault, alleging Mr Beaumont opened his gate and entered his property before the attack.

The suggestion Mr Beaumont, who has autism, had entered the property was rejected by his father Chris.

‘‘Oliver has always been afraid of dogs as he was attacked three years ago by a similar breed of dog.’’

‘‘There’s no way Oliver would even go near those dogs, let alone open the gate.’’

A video of the attack supplied to Stuff appeared to show the attack taking place on the gravel road Mr Beaumont was walking on, not in the yard containing the dogs. — Additional reporting NZME