Hutt City Council has fined the owner of a dog which bit the face of a child at Avalon park last Friday and has identified the animal as a dangerous dog.
The dog was seized from an adress in Wainuiomata earlier in the week, but has now been returned to its owner.
As well as a $200 fine, the owner has been ordered to have the dog neutered and ensure it is muzzled and on a lead when out in public, or it may be destroyed.
The council says that trying to have a court order the dog be destroyed was not feasible as a witness to the attack at the children's playground at Avalon park, says the boy was seen climbing on the dog.
The child's mother has accepted the council's decision.
