DOGS*

 * No pun as the topic is too serious.

We had a lovely dog.

Rosie was beautiful, smart, well-socialised, gentle-natured and loved by us and our friends.

All too often though, dogs are not good additions to families and can be nuisances in neighbourhoods and dangerous to other pets, native fauna and even people - particularly children.

I was upset to read this today: 4 Y.O KILLED IN DOG ATTACK

Last week in Northland a woman was set upon by a pack of dogs that also attacked her rescuer: KAIWAKA DOG PACK ATTACK

Every week we read about dog attacks here in New Zealand and abroad but so far there hasn't been any strengthening of dog control legislation. In fact, it seems that a lot of the current regulations are being ignored and not followed up on.

Dog Control Act 1996

Dogs attacking persons or animals

(1) A person may, for the purpose of stopping an attack, seize or destroy a dog if—
(a) the person is attacked by the dog; or
(b) the person witnesses the dog attacking any other person, or any stock, poultry, domestic animal, or protected wildlife.
(2) The owner of a dog that makes an attack described in subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000 in addition to any liability that he or she may incur for any damage caused by the attack.
(3) If, in any proceedings under subsection (2), the court is satisfied that the dog has committed an attack described in subsection (1) and that the dog has not been destroyed, the court must make an order for the destruction of the dog unless it is satisfied that the circumstances of the offence were exceptional and do not warrant destruction of the dog.
(4) If a person seizes a dog under subsection (1), he or she must, as soon as practicable, deliver the dog into the custody of a dog ranger or dog control officer.
(5) If a dog control officer or dog ranger has reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has been committed under subsection (2), he or she may—
(a) seize and take custody of the dog; or
(b) if seizure of the dog is not practicable, destroy the dog.

etc.

Kaipara District Council

As a dog owner, you have a number of legal and moral responsibilities to ensure the safety and well-being of your pet and those around you. Make sure you are aware of all your responsibilities before getting a dog. Ensuring your dog is registered and microchipped (where applicable) is a legal requirement and helps us reunite lost pets with owners.
It is important to remember that any dog can bite, so care must be taken to ensure your dog is kept under control at all times to prevent any problems occurring. Keeping your dog under control includes situations within your own home and outside, ensuring it obeys your commands and is either on a leash or under voice control in areas where it is allowed to run free.
To be on the safe side, it is always best to avoid letting your dog run free in areas where small children, livestock, poultry or protected wildlife are present. There are a number of places where you can exercise your dog off a leash, within a safe and controlled environment.
If you own a dog that is classified as dangerous or menacing, then you have more obligations to ensure everyones safety and to avoid any offences against you and your pet.
Remember when exercising your dog in parks or on our beaches, be especially vigilant of our wildlife and please keep your dog from disturbing or endangering any other animals.
Most importantly, love and have fun with your dog.
Dog control offences

Every dog has the potential to bite, regardless of whether or not you think your dog is friendly. As an owner you need to be aware of the legal obligations and consequences to you, should your dog attack people or other animals.
Legal consequences around safety issues

Some dogs have the predisposition to attack. Some attack people for no obvious reason and some attack other animals or stock. Because dog attacks are common in New Zealand, we have special laws and bylaws that dog owners must be aware of in order to help prevent recurring attacks. These rules are:Owners of dogs involved in a serious attack can be prosecuted
Dogs may be impounded and/or put down if they attack people or animals (including protected wildlife).
If your dog attacks any person, stock, poultry, domestic animal or protected wildlife you can be prosecuted and fined up to $3,000 if convicted. On top of this, you are also liable for the costs of any damage that occurs.
Your dog will be required to wear a muzzle. If you breach that requirement you may be fined an additional $3,000 and the dog may be then put down.
If any attack by your dog causes serious injury or death to a person or protected wildlife, you may be liable for a prison term of up to three years and/or a fine of $20,000. Your dog would also most likely be put down.
An Animal Management Officer, Dog Ranger or Police Constable can enter any premises to seize and impound a dog that is deemed to be threatening the safety of any person or animal.

Here's an interesting study on dog related injuries in New Zealand. EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DRIs IN NZ 

It's worth a read.

I don't like the purple rating (highest) that Northland has but it's no surprise.

The report concludes:

Conclusion: The incidences of injury from dogs in New Zealand is increasing. Inequity exists with substantial regional variation, and higher rates among those living in areas of greater deprivation and Māori in the setting of the ongoing effects of colonisation. Children aged 0–9 years are no more likely than other age groups to present for medical attention but are more likely to be hospitalised. Reasons for these disparities require further investigation 

We've lived in Whangarei since 2009 and have noticed a significant increase in dog ownership over this time exacerbated I think by the COVID lockdowns where people seemed to take on dog ownership and dog walking as a pastime.  That's OK if the dogs are trained properly and are well cared for and if the owners are responsible and follow the regulations. Many don't. I often remonstrate with dog owners who take their 'fur babies' on nature reserve walks and to kiwi sanctuary areas where dogs are expressly forbidden and where there are signs stating this. I was bitten by one little bastard on one such track and had a blazing row with the owners. A friend of mine has been attacked twice by an unleashed mongrel dog and had to call out the dog control people. And we live in a 'nicer' area of Northland.

I think that things are getting out of control and we'll see more deaths and severe injuries from dog attacks. The councils and government need to step up and put in new and tighter controls and bloody well enforce the ones that are already there.

Sheesh!