Owners could face hefty fines after vicious attack

The owners of the two dogs that viciously attacked an autistic man could face a fine of up to $3000 plus damage costs along with the destruction of their dogs.

Winton man Oliver Beaumont was attacked by two rottweiler dogs during a walk near his home on Sunday afternoon.

Beaumont suffered more than 60 puncture wounds to his body, but mostly his face and head.

One bite was reportedly so deep it was down to his skull and required extensive surgery.

A neighbour said neither owner was present at the time of the attack, or immediately after. The police notified one owner who was at work, and the other owner arrived around two hours later, the neighbour said.

Under the Dog Control Act, the owners of dogs that attack can face a fine of up to $3000 plus any liability that they incur for any damage caused in the attack.

The court must also order that the dogs be destroyed unless there were exceptional circumstances.

Southland District Council environmental services general manager Bruce Halligan would not comment on outcomes as the investigation was under way.

When asked whether Beaumont entered the property, he did not comment.

There had been other dog attacks this year but none had resulted in prosecutions, Halligan said. There were roughly 13,500 dogs that came under the council authority, he said.

New Zealand Dog Safety advises that if you find yourself in a situation where there is noone to take control of an aggressive dog, try to leave the area slowly, warn other people in the area and contact the local council.