A dog owner has pleaded not guilty to an incident in which his four-year-old son was horrifically mauled by a bull mastiff cross at his South Auckland home last year.
Orlando Shepherd, 39, is facing one charge laid under under section 58 of the Dog Control Act, and briefly appeared in the Manukau District Court this morning.
Last August, four-year-old Shepherd Mea suffered serious head injuries when the dog attacked him.
The dog had only been staying with the family for a short time and Housing New Zealand later said the animal was not permitted at the state home.
The mauling prompted an investigation by the Auckland Council, and the dog was destroyed a week later.
Orlando Shepherd was remanded on bail to reappear in court for a case review hearing on March 23.
