Paul and Joanna Bartlett told members of the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s dog control committee yesterday they doubted their 4-year-old dog, Baxter, started the fight in De La Parelle Park on August 5.
Baxter had never been in a fight before, and he and his mother, Jazz, were well-trained and obedient, Mr Bartlett said.
"All I’m asking for is a chance to prove my dogs are not a danger to the public."
The couple asked the three-person panel to rescind the classification, which requires the dogs to be muzzled whenever they are off their property.
In a written report by the council’s animal control team, the husky’s owner said Baxter had rushed and "latched on" to her dog before Jazz joined in the attack.
They had shaken and bitten her dog repeatedly, continuing even as she tried to kick them away.
Her dog sustained wounds, swelling and "skin separation" on different parts of its body.
The report said an independent witness heard the incident and looked over to see "staffy dogs" circling the husky and its owner.
He ran over and grabbed one of them, while the other returned to Mrs Bartlett.
Mrs Bartlett, who had been out walking the dogs, told the panel Baxter had approached the husky in a typically friendly manner.
She did not see which dog had "struck" first because she was momentarily dealing with Jazz, but heard an "aggressive" bark from the husky.
Mr Bartlett said they had been dog owners in the township for 25 years, and knew the Staffordshire bull terrier breed well from breeding and showing them around the country.
It was one of the world’s most popular breeds, and recognised for being good around children.
The classification, which had arisen from an account they disputed, would have a major effect on their dogs’ lives, he said.
Wearing muzzles was like having "a cage around their face", and they would need to be taken to private rural properties in order to run freely.
Animal control team leader Carrie Edgerton told the panel most attacks on domestic animals in the district resulted in a menacing dog classification, especially when injuries were caused.
There had been an increase in dog attacks in New Zealand, and the council had to use the tools provided in the Dog Control Act to ensure the public was safe from harm.
Panel chairman Lyal Cocks said it expected to release its decision on the appeal within seven working days.
