15 Nov 2012

Dog leaps fence to attack, injure elderly man

5:37 am on 15 November 2012

A man has been flown to Nelson Hospital with serious injuries after a dog attack in Motueka.

Police say the 71-year-old was walking to his letterbox when a dog jumped over the fence and attacked him at about 5pm on Wednesday.

A young woman who was nearby beat the dog away with a stick.

Police took the man to a local medical centre, where he was picked up by a rescue helicopter.

A St John paramedic, Matt Wilkinson, says the man's injuries are serious, but he is in a stable condition.

He says he suffered defensive injuries to his forearm and hands, as well as injuries to his lower legs.

A dog ranger caught the three-year-old mixed breed dog and impounded it.

Police say the attack will be investigated.