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Nurse Maude worker bitten by guard dog, court told
A judge has quickly quashed a Northcote man’s contention that his dog had the right to bite anyone who came into his house.
Christchurch District Court Judge Gary MacAskill told Salema Meleisea that a dog was not allowed to bite people for any reason.
Meleisea, who lived in Cavendish Road, Northcote, was being sentenced for being the owner of a dog who attacked a person.
Hannah Marks, representing the Christchurch City Council, said in February this year a Nurse Maude worker went to the wrong address and was attacked by the guard dog who was left inside to protect the property.
She cried for help, but no-one heard her, and she left to get medical treatment.
Miss Marks said there had been a previous complaint against the dog when it had caused minor injuries to another person.
She was asking for reparation for damage to the woman’s clothing, and an emotional distress payment.
She said the dog had since been euthanased.
Judge MacAskill said the woman was on the property under common-law licence and a dog was not allowed to bite for any reason.
He fined Meleisea $250, court costs $130, solicitor’s costs for the Christchurch City Council of $120, reparations for the injured woman’s damaged clothes of $130, and a $250 emotional harm payment to her. That is a total of $880.
