Owner fined $500, dog destroyed after attack

A family is waiting to find out whether a

6-year-old girl will be disfigured by a dog bite she received at a North Canterbury playground.

The dog, a Staffie-American bulldog cross named Vedda, was put down after the incident at the Good Street Reserve in Rangiora on November 26.

The owner, Josh Charles McCracken, a

34-year-old labourer, admitted being the owner of a dog which attacked a person, at the Christchurch District Court.

Judge David Saunders decided not to fine McCracken, but ordered he pay $500 in emotional harm reparations to the girl’s family.

The Waimakariri District Council, which prosecuted McCracken under the Dog Control Act, said McCracken was at the park with his children and the dog, which was being encouraged to run around the playground equipment.

The 6-year-old was at the playground with her grandmother. Vedda jumped up and bit the girl on the chest area while she was on the flying fox, causing injuries 1cm and 1.5cm long near her right nipple. Her clothing was ripped.

She was taken to hospital where the wounds were stitched. The doctors say the injuries may eventually distort the nipple area and the growth of the breast.

McCracken had taken the dog to the park to play with the children and was not aware dogs were not permitted on the playground. The council said he was very concerned for the victim.

Defence counsel Rupert Ward said it had been upsetting for the girl and her family.

McCracken was horrified about what happened, which had been ‘‘traumatising for everybody concerned’’. McCracken had owned the dog for six years and it had never shown any sign of aggression, he said.

Judge Saunders was told the Act required the destruction of the dog, but that had already been carried out at McCracken’s instructions.