A 35-year-old woman has been summonsed to appear in court following the fatal dog attack that killed four-year-old Timothy Rolleston in the Bay of Plenty last year.
Police confirmed the charge on Wednesday, nearly a year after the incident in Katikati in March 2025.
Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew-Brown said the woman faces a charge of owning a dog that causes death to a person.
She is scheduled to appear in the New Plymouth District Court on Monday 16 March.
Police said Timothy’s family have been notified of the development.
“Our thoughts remain with them, and we continue to offer them the necessary support,” Detective Senior Sergeant Flowerdew-Brown said.
Emergency services were called to the property in Katikati in March last year after the young boy was attacked by a dog. Despite efforts to save him, Timothy died from his injuries.
Police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack, working alongside animal control authorities to determine how the incident occurred.
The charge laid this week follows the conclusion of that investigation.
