Media release 17 February 2005

Council Seeks Prosecution In Mini-Horse Attack

Waitakere City Council is seeking a prosecution through the Courts following a “particularly severe” dog attack on two miniature horses at Swanson.

One horse was dead when an Animal Welfare Officer arrived at the scene. The other horse sustained moderate injuries.

“This is a particularly nasty, severe and dangerous attack - a breach of the Dog Control Act 1996,” says Councillor Vanessa Neeson, chair of the Planning and Regulatory Committee.

“I am very thankful that children weren’t hurt in this attack. These were family pets We really feel for the family,” she says

The attack, on 8 January 2005, involved two pit-bull terriers. A member of the public called Waitakere Animal Welfare Services saying that the unsupervised dogs had attacked two miniature horses on their property.

One of the dogs was shot on sight by the owner of the miniature horses and the other dog involved was located and impounded by an Animal Welfare Officer. This dog was subsequently euthanised.

“The family are devastated at the loss of their much-loved miniature horse. The children had spend a lot of time training the horses to pull carts and perform various other tricks.

“The owner of the miniature horses urges all dog owners to take responsibility for their animals and to ensure that their dogs are under proper control at all times,” says Councillor Neeson.

ENDS

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