Auckland, New Zealand – In a tragic incident, a 2-year-old boy sustained life-threatening injuries after being mauled by two American bulldogs in South Auckland in March 2024. The dogs, which roamed into the child’s yard, launched an unprovoked and sustained attack, leaving the boy with serious wounds to his neck and head, as well as a fractured shoulder blade. Despite the mother’s brave attempts to rescue her child, the boy required multiple surgeries and a prolonged hospital stay. The attack was captured on CCTV footage, and the dogs were eventually removed by the owner’s family.
The owner of the dogs, Janna Faumui, was sentenced in the Manukau District Court after pleading guilty to charges for owning dogs that caused serious injury. Judge Soana Moala sentenced Faumui to 150 hours of community work and ordered her to pay $2000 in emotional harm reparation to the victim’s family. Despite the severity of the attack, the judge determined that imprisonment was not appropriate due to Faumui’s lack of a criminal record and her remorse for the incident.
Auckland Council officials have emphasized the importance of securing pets and preventing roaming dogs, warning that incidents like this can be entirely preventable with responsible ownership. Councillor Josephine Bartley stressed the need for dog owners to take their responsibilities seriously, stating, “This is not optional. If they fail in those duties, we will not hesitate to prosecute.”
In the aftermath of the attack, both dogs were voluntarily surrendered and euthanized. Auckland Council has taken steps to increase the number of Animal Management Officers and proactive patrolling in high-risk areas to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In a separate incident, 8-year-old Milan Tufuga was also attacked by an unleashed dog in West Auckland in April 2025. The incident, where a small mixed-breed dog bit Tufuga multiple times, underscores the ongoing risks of careless dog ownership and the need for stricter control of pets in public spaces.
Auckland Council continues to urge dog owners to secure their pets and ensure they are well-trained to avoid tragic attacks that could result in permanent harm.