Chiefs player fined after pitbull attacks child

  • 14/10/2016
Glen Fisiiahi (Chiefs)
Glen Fisiiahi (Chiefs)

Chiefs player Glen Fisiiahi has been fined and had his pitbull destroyed after his dog attacked an eight-year-old girl.

Fisiiahi appeared in the Auckland District Court on Friday.

His dog, a pitbull called Son-Son, bit the child's arm in March after she stuck it through a gate to the property.

"There was a significant bite wound on her right forearm a little above the elbow," Judge David Mather said in court.

"Photographs have been produced and on any assessment this was a particularly nasty attack causing a significant wound on a vulnerable child."

Fisiiahi and his wife Leuina Tema, 26, admitted owning a dog that attacked a child in July, after the Auckland Council laid the offence.

The dog has been destroyed - and Fisiiahi has been hit with $3850 in fines and reparations. Ms Tema has been granted a discharge without conviction.

"We are sadly all too aware of the dangers that dogs can pose to children. Dogs can be unpredictable and young children should always be supervised when around them," says Auckland Council manager of animal management Tracey Moore.

"Auckland Council's policy is to prosecute owners in cases of serious dog attacks. We hope that today's sentencing reminds dog owners of their responsibilities, and that this will lead to reduced risks and fewer attacks in the future."

It was the second time the dog had attacked someone. In 2014, the dog had reached through a fence and attacked another child, tearing its jacket.

Fisiiahi was warned to put protective mesh around his property - something he failed to do.

His lawyer says Fisiiahi has "done the right thing".

"He's taken responsibility, and his dog was destroyed, and he's offered reparation much higher than in other cases," says his lawyer John Munro.

"He's done more than many people would do."

Newshub.