Horrific attacks result in dangerous dogs being euthanised

Three dogs involved in a horrific attack on a family pet in Whangamata last week have now been euthanised by vets.

The owner surrendered the dogs due to the seriousness of the attack. The three pig dogs attacked and mauled a family pet to the extent that the dog could not be saved due to the nature of the injuries. "The compliance officers attending the scene described the injuries as the worst that the seasoned officers have ever seen," says Council's Compliance Team Leader, Steve Hart.

"Our officers are concerned that residents only came forward with concerns about the dogs after the incident had occurred and had not lodged complaints with Council prior to the incident. One of the three dogs involved had a single incident of 'rushing' on Councils records and in that incident the complainant did not wish to make a fuss."

Meanwhile the dogs involved in the attack on a seal on Tairua Beach have also been euthanised by vets. The owner of the two pit bull type dogs had only recently moved to Tairua. Five dogs, pit bull and staffordshire cross type, were seized by Compliance Officers for being unregistered. The owner has now been disqualified from owning a dog by Council due to infringements issued by Christchurch City Council, and despite the dogs being euthanised, she is still facing a prosecution for the alleged attack on the NZ fur seal pup.

Any owner of a dog that seriously attacks another animal or person may on conviction receive a jail term of up to 3 years or a $20,000 fine, or both. Owners of any dog that is convicted of any offence against the Dog Control Act 1996 will also be automatically disqualified from owning a dog for up to five years.

"In order for Council to take action against dog owners for uncontrolled or potentially dangerous dogs we need to receive reports of incidents when they occur or it's very difficult for us to curb dog behaviour issues with owners," says Mr Hart. "Our officers are experienced at determining whether a dog may be menacing or dangerous and recently classified a dog as being dangerous in Whitianga through officers' observations on the dogs' behaviour."

Our compliance team are continuing investigations into both incidents with a view to prosecutions due to the serious nature of the incidents.

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