A passer-by, who did not wish to be named, told the Herald they heard a commotion coming from a property on Tuesday.
“We heard all this yelling and screaming coming from one of the houses,” he said.
“This guy was smacking a dog with a bit of wood.”
Hato Hone St John said it was notified at 11.56am of “an animal incident” and responded with a rapid response unit and an ambulance.
“Our ambulance staff treated one patient and transported them to Christchurch Public Hospital in a serious condition,” a spokesperson said.
Senior Sergeant Hamish Keer-Keer said on Tuesday that Animal Management had been notified.
The incident came weeks after a fatal dog attack in Aranui. Toddler Sonny-Charles, 1, died on August 14 at his family home after being bitten by a dog.
Police have confirmed no criminal charges will be laid in relation to the boy’s death.