A 16-year old has suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a dog in Tokoroa yesterday.
The boy was with three friends when they were confronted by a three-year-old pit bull-boxer cross.
South Waikato District Council compliance manager Kerry Beckett said it was still not clear if the dog escaped from a nearby property or was encouraged to attack the boys by its owner.
There were conflicting versions of what happened and the council and police are investigating, she said.
The dog appeared friendly at first , but when one of the boys went to pat it the dog bit his arm, however the boy escaped and the dog attacked another boy who started to run away, Ms Beckett said.
He received chest, arm and leg injuries.
Ms Beckett said his friends were able to grab the dog and sit on it until help arrived.
"They could have run, a lot of kids would, and I really think they need to be shown some sense of appreciation for what they did for their friend. It would have been incredibly brave for them to do that, and I think that is pretty awesome."
Ms Beckett said it was not clear if the dog escaped from a nearby property or was encouraged to attack the boys by its owner.
The animal will be destroyed and the case is being investigated by the council and police
