*Warning: Contains graphic images

A Western Bay dog owner is “absolutely gutted” there won’t be a prosecution after his beloved Border Collie was “ripped open” by two dogs.

Paul Gibbs said he was “truly disappointed” that Western Bay of Plenty District Council has decided not to prosecute the owner of two German Shepherds that he believed attacked his dog, Molly.

In December last year, the 13-year-old Border Collie was relaxing on the lawn when two German Shepherds came onto Gibbs’ Whakamārama property after leaping from a ute at a nearby petrol station.

Gibbs said they chased his son’s dog up the driveway then came across Molly. He didn’t see the attack but was shocked to find her bleeding from the neck.

At first he thought someone had put a red collar on his dog, but said after a closer look he realised she was bleeding from “horrifying” gaping wounds and her neck had been “ripped open”.

“She literally had stitches from the top of her neck, right around to the bottom.”

Molly required two surgeries and needed at least 50 stitches, he said. She also had daily vet visits to check the wounds.

The owner of the German Shepherds put them in the ute and was about to drive off when Gibbs attempted to turn off the truck.

At this point, Gibbs said the owner bit him.

Paul Gibbs said he was bitten on the hand when he attempted to stop the owner of the dogs from leaving his property. Photo / Supplied

Molly had healed really well, but she would never be back to her old self, said Gibbs.

She sticks around the house a lot more now and has lost confidence, he said.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council compliance and monitoring manager Dougal Elvin said the council decided not to prosecute following the attack on Molly.

“This decision was not taken lightly, but after giving this matter further consideration and seeking legal advice, there was insufficient evidence to successfully prosecute.

“There are no witnesses to the attack, and it is unknown what dog attacked Molly.”

Council staff had met with Molly’s owner and understood his disappointment at their decision, Elvin said.

“This has understandably been a very distressing time for him, and something that no pet owner wants to experience.”

Border Collie, Molly, 10 days after she was attacked in December 2023. Photo / Alex Cairns

Gibbs said he would not be able to recover the $5000 in vet costs through the legal process due to the decision.

“I didn’t do anything about it because the council at the start, [said] ‘look, leave it with us’.

“Just about 12 months down the track, they backtrack and so I’m left holding the can.”

Gibbs posted about the attack on Facebook at the time and the owner of the German Shepherds said they would pay the vet costs, but Gibbs said he hasn’t heard anything more from them.

People who saw his social media post donated around $1500 to the vet for Molly’s bills.

If the owner of the GermanShepherds had paid the bill, Gibbs said the donated money would be given to other animals in need.

A police spokesperson previously confirmed an officer assisted after a dog attack at a Whakamārama property and the matter was referred to animal control.

Local Democracy Reporting has attempted to contact the owner of the German Shepherds.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.