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Ashburton
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013
FIRST PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 27, 1879
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Dog attack heroes hailed by principals By Sam Morton Two college principals have hailed their reluctant heroes after they intervened in a savage dog attack, risking their own safety to rescue others. The suggestion to put three teenagers forward for a community heroic-based award, comes after their courageous actions in rescuing two young children and an elderly tourist from the serious attack in the Mid Canterbury township. Yesterday, the three heroes, two from Mt Hutt College and one from Ashburton College, wished to remain anonymous, despite their courageous efforts being the talk of the district at both colleges. The attack took place about 5.30pm on Friday, when an eight-year-old boy and his 12-year-old sister were bitten and dragged by the dogs near the Garden of Harmony on South Belt. In the savage attack, one of the dogs dragged the boy along the grass by his shoulder and both dogs bit the back of the girl’s neck and head, after she fell to the ground trying to help her brother. The three teenagers, who happened to be driving by at the time, saw the attack unfold and immediately stopped to help. As the teenagers jumped in to intervene, one was bitten on the back of his leg as the trio managed to get the children into
their car, before driving them home to their parents. Just minutes later, the group returned in their car and saw a tourist looking panicked on his cell phone. He told the teenagers his 67-year-old wife had been savagely attacked on Wayne Place, receiving a tear to her elbow, puncture marks to her arm and hip, a large cut to the back of her neck and a puncture wound to her foot. She required 25 stitches.
Mt Hutt College principal John Schreurs told the Guardian the teenagers were still coming to grips with the situation, reflecting on the “traumatic” incident. He spoke of his pride for the senior students and said the act of bravery could well be identified at a higher level in the future – as a gesture of recognition. “What these students have done is incredible. I think the students are now coming to terms with what it is they have actually done and going
through the what ifs. What if we weren’t there? And what if the dog had turned on us more aggressively? ... Those sort of afterthoughts. “This isn’t the first time we have seen our senior students stepping up and doing the right thing and we are certainly very proud of their efforts. They’ve certainly shown they can take leadership and responsibility when the situation arises,” Mr Schreurs said. Since the incident, the two dogs have been signed over to dog control and destroyed. After helping the man inform emergency services of their whereabouts, the teenagers saw the dogs in the vicinity of their nearby home and used their car to block them in to the yard – preventing any further attacks. Ashburton College principal Grant McMillan said the actions were instinctive and was confident any student would have stood up to the task in a moment of urgency. “The student doesn’t want to be identified at the moment, but they’ve already had a quiet message from half of the college on both sides. “The result of these three teenagers doing what they did was admirable and managed to keep the two children safe, as well as aiding an elderly woman. It was courageous to say the least,” he said. Ashburton Dog Control and Methven Police are currently investigating the incident.
result of that incident council inspected the property and the owner took additional steps to make it even more secure. “The owner acted responsibly in having the dogs desexed and increasing fence security. Animal control contractors inspected this and were satisfied that the dogs were fully compliant with requirements around menacing dogs. There was a big fence and lots of signage.” On the occasion of Friday night’s attack, it appeared the dogs had been off the section without the owner’s knowledge, Mr Wade said. “The upshot was they were wandering around Methven and they decided to attack five people. They were behaving very aggressively and ultimately a dog control officer was
bitten. “As a result the dogs were secured and taken to the pound, the owner has been interviewed and he voluntarily signed the dogs off to us and they’ll be euthanised today (Monday).” While the council was still investigating the incident, Mr Wade said owners of dogs that attacked could be prosecuted. By definition the border collie–bull mastiff cross was not listed as a menacing or dangerous breed, the pair were large, strong looking dogs, he said. “The key message we have to keep hammering home to dog owners and they really have to get to grips with it, is that whatever dog they own, they’re responsible for everything it does and that starts right from its puppy training.”
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The result of these three teenagers doing what they did was admirable. It was courageous to say the least
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Photos John Cosgrove
Ashburton College principal and Lieutenant Colonel Grant McMillan (centre) was handed the commanding officer’s role for a newly established South Island battalion, the 2/4 Battalion, in Dunedin on Sunday.
College principal in charge of newly Attack dogs handed formed battalion over and euthanised By Sue Newman The two dogs that savaged five people in Methven on Friday night have been handed over by their owner to the Ashburton District Council and have been destroyed. Council regulatory manager Richard Wade said the dogs were known to the council after a previous incident and had been classified as menacing. “These dogs were definitely on our radar and were classified not long ago after they attacked a salesman who entered the property. The property was well fenced and there were warning signs that dogs were on the property but he ignored those signs,” Mr Wade said. While the man should not have entered the section, as a
By Myles Hume
He’s often known as a leader in education circles, but Grant McMillan reached new success in his other passion, the military, during the weekend. The Ashburton College principal, or Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR), was awarded the commanding officer’s job in Dunedin on Sunday for a newly amalgamated South Island battalion. “For me, that’s pretty cool. It’s a significant but also really rewarding opportunity,” Mr McMillan, a 30-year serviceman of the military, said. Originally the commanding officer for the Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Battalion, Mr McMillan was handed the colours of the 2/4 Battalion, a newly established combination of the upper South Island’s battalion and the Otago and Southland Battalion.
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He was formally handed the role at a charter parade, held in the Octagon, Dunedin, where Roger McElwain, the departing commanding officer of the Otago Southland Battalion, was recognised along with the official launch of the two battalions. While he may be in charge of the 1200 pupils and a large group of teaching staff at college, Mr McMillan will also oversee at least 450 servicemen of the 2/4 Battalion. His job involves maintaining the skills and practices of the military, budgeting, overseeing communication and relationships - a lot of that work propped up by fellow volunteers. Mr McMillan likened the role to an Area Commander of the New Zealand Fire Service, pointing out it was an honourable and significant role. It has been 47 years since the Otago and Southland Battalions combined and also since Canterbury amalgamated with other regional battalions.
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Ashburton College principal and Lieutenant Colonel Grant McMillan accompanied by Dunedin mayor Dave Cull inspect the troops.
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