American Pit bull degloved woman but owner says he should have Christmas at home

NEW ZEALAND -- The owner of a dog responsible for ripping the skin off a woman's hand has asked the animal be released to spend Christmas at home.

Lennox, a 55kg American Pit bull Terrier cross, bit and "degloved" a school teacher who was visiting the Flaxmere home of the Fa'alele family on October 8.

The teacher, who had arranged to meet Matthew Fa'alele and his partner, spoke briefly to children on the property and noticed the dog standing silently.

After a short time she tried to let herself in by reaching over a gate and releasing a latch. As she did so Lennox jumped and bit her right hand.

The dog's bite degloved her hand, nearly completely removing the skin from her hand.

Fa'alele apologised and the woman was taken to hospital.

The attack was reported to the council on October 12, but when animal control officers went to the property Fa'alele said he had removed Lennox. He was found at the property on November 24 and has been held at Hastings District Council pound ever since.

Fa'alele is being prosecuted for owning a dog causing a serious injury and the matter is likely to be heard in Hastings District Court next month.

But in the meantime, Fa'alele has appealed to the council to release Lennox until the hearing, when his fate will be decided.

In a letter to the council Fa'alele has asked that "our youngest family member who is also our pet dog" spend Christmas with the family, especially Fa'alele's three young children aged under eight.

Fa'alele said if Lennox was allowed home he would ensure the dog was fully muzzled if taken off the property and would be kept in a separate fenced-off part of the section.

"He is a loving dog and an important part of our family," Fa'alele said.

In a report to the council's Hearings committee staff said Lennox did not display the usual characteristics of an aggressive dog, but that was not unusual for this type of dog.

The Dog Control Act required dogs to be held in custody until a prosecution is determined, unless a council is satisfied the dog will not threaten the safety of any person, stock, pets or wildlife.

The appeal, set down for Tuesday, will be the second such appeal heard by the council in a fortnight. Earlier this month Kayla Bremner was unsuccessful in having her Rhodesian ridgeback Rascal released for Christmas.

Rascal, was one of three dogs involved in an October 3 attack at Whirinaki Beach, north of Napier, which left two women requiring hospital treatment.

Bremner has pleaded guilty to owning a dog that rushed a person causing injury and is due to be sentenced in the Napier District Court in February.

(Stuff NZ - December 21 2015)