Auckland Council has sentenced the owner of two American bulldogs involved in a brutal dog attack on a toddler in South Auckland. The 2-year-old boy suffered life-threatening injuries in the unprovoked attack, which occurred while he was playing in the front yard of his home in March 2024.
The boy’s mother acted heroically during the incident, attempting to rescue her child while the dogs continued to maul him. The attack left the toddler with severe wounds to his neck and head, along with a fractured shoulder blade, requiring multiple surgeries and an extended hospital stay. CCTV footage of the incident highlighted the dogs’ relentless attack, which only ended when the dogs were forcibly removed by the owner’s family.
The dogs involved in the attack had entered the yard without warning. Following the incident, Auckland Council initiated a criminal prosecution, charging the owner, Janna Faumui, with owning dogs that attacked a person and caused serious injury.
At Manukau District Court last week, Faumui pleaded guilty to the charges. Judge Soana Moala sentenced her to 150 hours of community work and ordered her to pay $2,000 in emotional harm reparation to the victim’s family. While the judge considered imprisonment as a possible sentence, it was deemed inappropriate due to Faumui’s lack of criminal history and remorse for the offense.
Auckland Council Chairwoman of the Regulatory and Safety Committee, Councillor Josephine Bartley, stressed the importance of dog owners securing their pets and taking responsibility. “The trauma and injuries inflicted on this child were horrific and entirely preventable,” she said.
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of roaming dogs in Auckland. In response, the council has increased the number of Animal Management Officers and enhanced patrols in high-risk areas. Both dogs involved in the attack were voluntarily surrendered and euthanized.
This case serves as a reminder to dog owners to ensure their pets are secure, well-trained, and never allowed to roam freely. Auckland Council continues to urge owners to be vigilant, as negligence can lead to severe consequences.
In a separate case, an 8-year-old girl was recently attacked by an unleashed dog in Titirangi, Auckland, further underscoring the dangers of careless dog ownership. The child sustained multiple bite wounds, one requiring stitches. The incident has prompted further calls for increased awareness around dog control in public spaces.
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