Dog Attacks Mar End of Positive Summer

A spate of serious dog attacks over the past two weeks has resulted in one man being flown to hospital in a serious condition and has kept our Council's Compliance Officers busy investigating the attacks.

"The dog attacks in the past two weeks are extremely disappointing after a very positive summer in our District," says Barry Smedts, our Operations Manager for Community Environment.

"Thousands of additional dogs arrived with visitors and absentee homeowners over the peak holiday period and we have been very fortunate that very few incidents were reported to Council or observed by Compliance staff patrolling beaches and public places," Mr Smedts says.

"Unfortunately the attacks that occurred were all related to local dogs and the majority of attacks occurred on private property," says Mr Smedts.

In Tairua, a dog leapt through a car window and mauled the driver, resulting in serious injuries to the man's upper body. The man was flown to hospital in a serious condition. The dog was also injured in the attack. The dog's owners have since met with our Compliance Officers and surrendered the dog, which has been euthanised.

In Kennedy Bay, roaming dogs killed a small dog and in Whangamata two pig dogs attacked a man on a commercial premise.

In Whitianga, Compliance Officers investigating an incident involving a Rottweiler dog uncovered three other incidents of the dog acting aggressively towards residents in one street. The owner is working with our investigating officers who are recommending the dog be classified as menacing or dangerous.

Another dog owner is facing infringements after a dog she was exercising off lead while she rode a bike ended up in an altercation with another dog that came out of a property. The bike rider also had another dog with her that was classified as menacing but was not wearing a muzzle as required by the Dog Control Act.

"All attacks are currently being investigated by our Compliance Officers and all were avoidable if owners had ensured their dogs were under kept under control," Mr Smedts says.

"The attacks are a reminder to dog owners to control their dogs at all times or face the penalties available to Council under the DOG CONTROL ACT 1996," he says.

"If dog owners see aggressive behaviour in their dogs they should make sure they correct that behaviour before more serious incidents occur," says Mr Smedts.

We're currently reviewing our dog control policy and bylaw and received over 400 submissions to our proposal late last year.

The volume and range of feedback shows that dog control is a really important, and often controversial, issue in our community. A new policy and bylaw is planned to be adopted mid this year and until then the current rules apply. SeeWWW.TCDC.GOVT.NZ/DOGS

Fish Dumped in Matarangi

Several marlin carcasses and some snapper remains have been dumped off the Causeway Bridge on the approach to Matarangi.

"This is a problem on several counts: it is illegal, it spoils the environment for everyone else and the fish were dumped near where samples are taken to test compliance with the discharge consent for the Matarangi Wastewater Treatment Plant," says Mr Smedts.

There have been some recent fishing competitions in the area and this kind of behaviour would not be condoned by the organisers of these events.

In December our Council launched a campaign against illegal rubbish dumping - including leaving fish waste on beaches and reserves.

Anyone caught illegally dumping rubbish in the Coromandel could be prosecuted and face a maximum fine of $20,000.

We can also hit people with an instant $400 fine for dumping fish waste.

Our Compliance Officers are following up the case of the dumped marlin.

Fish frames and waste should be composted, buried in gardens or taken out into deeper water.

Rubbish that does not fit into our official blue Council rubbish bags for kerbside collection can be taken to one of our Refuse Transfer Stations for disposal.

Recyclable items can also be taken to our Refuse Transfer Stations, the Seagull Centre in Thames, Op-Shops, Charities and other places who might be more than happy to take them off your hands.

More information on rubbish and recycling in the Coromandel:www.tcdc.govt.nz/rubbish

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