Dog attack woman sent to jail

The woman who set her young pitbull dog on to her sister has been jailed for seven years.

Phillipa Bayley, 55, was sentenced in Tauranga District Court today. She faced a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after using her dog to inflict horrific injuries on her sister during a dispute on May 21, last year.

Bayley's sister Liz Smith, who is from Kawerau, was seated in the public gallery at the beginning of the sentencing but left the courtroom in tears as details were read out.

The jury was unable to determine whether the dog, which was a young dog at the time, was used in self defence.

However, the Judge determined that it was not.

The Judge told Bayley he was not satisfied that the incident was a case of self defence.

A decision on the dog's future is expected to be made later today. It remains in the care of Tauranga pound.