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\u201cFortunately, the dog let go of my leg and ran up the road into another driveway, then disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Wagstaff said she spoke to occupants of the two homes closest to where she was attacked, and neither recognised the dog by its description.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt happened so fast I couldn\u2019t even tell you the dog\u2019s breed. It was probably a medium-sized, biscuit-coloured tan dog, but where it came from is still unknown.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI hobbled home, grabbed a bandage, and drove myself to my doctor\u2019s clinic.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Wagstaff had several bite wounds and needed six stitches.<\/p>\n
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She said she filed a complaint with Tauranga City Council on March 23.<\/p>\n
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The dog attack on Resolution Rd left Judith Wagstaff with a nasty leg injury.<\/p>\n
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\u201cImagine if it had been a young mum with a toddler, an elderly and frail person, or someone walking a small fluffy dog \u2013 the injuries and outcome of the attack could have been far worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Wagstaff, an animal lover who owns two cats, said she did not blame the dog.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s the owner who is at fault for not controlling their animal. Clearly, it\u2019s been allowed to roam and probably hasn\u2019t been socialised or cared for properly.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI just hope it\u2019s found quickly before it attacks someone else. At the moment, when its whereabouts are unknown, it\u2019s a menace.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Wagstaff, who described herself as \u201can active, very fit 72-year-old retiree\u201d, said the injuries had disrupted her daily routines and cost $128 in medical expenses.<\/p>\n
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Her stitches were removed last week and although the deeper wound had still been weeping, medical staff said her injuries were healing better than expected.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI\u2019m walking a bit more normally again. But I don\u2019t think I want to walk around my neighbourhood until the menacing dog is found. I think a lot of people would feel just as anxious in a similar situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Wagstaff said she had never been bitten by a dog before, despite growing up on a farm.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI have also lived and worked in Southeast and Northeast Asia on and off for 35 years, where packs of roaming dogs are common, and there is the risk of catching rabies if bitten.\u201d<\/p>\n
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