Pitbull ‘dangerous’ but dodges death

A 55 kilogram pitbull that ripped the skin off a teacher’s hand will be going home after spending more than nine months on death row at the Hastings pound.

Lennox, an american pitbull terrier cross, has been at the pound since November after ‘‘degloving’’ a hand of teacher Cherie Youngman when she tried to open a gate at the property where he lived.

Owner Matthew Fa’alele had earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of owning a dog that attacked a person causing serious injury.

Under the Dog Control Act, once an owner is convicted of owning a dog that has caused serious injury, the animal must be destroyed unless the court is satisfied ‘‘exceptional’’ circumstances exist.

In the Hastings District Court yesterday, Judge Tony Adeane ruled there were exceptional factors, meaning Lennox could avoid a death sentence, although he will now be classified as a dangerous dog.

The judge said the factors included that Lennox was well cared for, did not have a history of bad behaviour and had been, and would continue to be, kept within a fully-fenced section.

Outside court Fa’alele said he was ‘‘very happy’’ with the out- come and he and his family were excited Lennox would be coming home after nine months at the pound. He said the dog had never shown aggression before and he felt safe leaving him in contact with his children.

Judge Adeane convicted Fa’alele and ordered him to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months.

He also ordered him to pay $300 for owning an unregistered dog and to make a $1000 emotional harm payment to Youngman.

The court was told she has still not regained full mobility in her hand following the incident.

Youngman, a teacher at Taikura Rudolf Steiner School in Hastings, had arranged to meet Fa’alele and his partner at their Flaxmere home on the day of the attack. The teacher spoke briefly to children on the property and noticed Lennox standing silently.

After a short time she tried to let herself in by reaching over a gate and releasing a latch but Lennox jumped and bit her, degloving her right hand, nearly completely removing the skin.

The attack was reported to the council but when animal control officers went to the property Fa’alele said he had removed Lennox. He was found at the property six weeks later.