Tasers used by police to bring aggressive dog under control

A person in central Hastings has been seriously injured by the dog they were handling, with police called in to bring it under control.

Hastings District Council Animal Control officers, police and an ambulance responded to the dog attack on Russell Street South, at about 2.20pm on Tuesday.

Police said the American Staffordshire/pitbull cross was not roaming at the time of the incident. It was being restrained by its handler, who was the victim of the attack.

Due to the aggressive manner of the dog, police said they had to use non-lethal tactical options to bring it under control.

The NZ Herald reported Tasers were used.

The council said the dog had been impounded in May for roaming. That incident was not in the Hastings CBD and did not involve aggression or attacks.

The dog was seized by Animal Control officers using pole snares and remained in council custody while they investigated.