Councillor Wood Calls for Action Against Dog Attacks in Auckland

7 August 2015

In light of the serious revelations in the recent report ‘The Burden of Dogbite Injuries in New Zealand: 2004-2014’ co-authored by Middlemore Hospital Plastic Surgeon Zachary Moaveni and student Jonny Mair, Councillor George Wood is requesting clarification from Auckland Council on the council's dog attack statistical data and our role in investigating dog attacks and bites.

"It was troubling to recently learn of the large number of dog attacks occurring in the Auckland region, especially against young children. The high level of attacks don't coincide with the complaints and prosecutions handled by Auckland Council. I want to see council take immediate action towards addressing this issue and protecting the residents of Auckland."

The Councillor has appealed to the Chair of the Regulatory and Bylaws Committee, Councillor Calum Penrose, to request an item for consideration on the problem be tabled at the next committee meeting on Tuesday, 11 August 2015.

"Council has taken a role in the prosecution of those responsible for dog attacks, as do the New Zealand Police, and I want to see this process improved. The number of complaints and prosecutions seem far less than what I would expect if the numbers of victims and injuries received, as indicated in the recently released report, are correct"

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