A dog that bit a three-year-old boy in the throat leaving him in a critical condition has been destroyed.
It appears the Doberman Staffordshire cross was trying to get at chocolate the toddler was eating at a relative's house in Ashburton.
The attack's reignited the debate over dog legislation.
Christchurch dog trainer Les Bruce says it's crucial a domestic hierarchy is established.
"The dog should be the lowest form of life in the house," he says. "Mum and dad are the king and queen I'd say, the children are the princes and princesses. If I'm the visitor in the house I'm the lords and ladies, and then it comes to the dog, and the dog should know its place in the house."
Mr Bruce says problems start when owners treat their dogs as equals.
The dog, owned by a family member of the toddler, was put down yesterday afternoon at the owner's request, says Ashburton District Council regulatory manager Richard Wade.
The dog was microchipped and had been registered with the council since 2006.
Mr Wade said the dog had not come to the council's attention prior to this incident.
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