A dog bite prevention campaign focused on child safety is critical to the south, officials say.
Pukekohe and Papakura have more than 4000 dogs, three times as many as in other areas, and Manurewa has 3000, twice as many.
There were almost 1,000 calls for service around dogs in Pukekohe last year, dealing with complaints from roaming to attacks, with 2240 in Manurewa and 2176 in Papakura.
Franklin ward Councillor Andy Baker says one bite is too many.
“Attacks are traumatising, the physical and emotional harm scars kids for life. I will keep saying it, dogs aren’t to blame, owners are. If you can’t provide a dog’s health needs, food, water, shelter and exercise, and make sure it’s socialised you shouldn’t have one.”
Papakura Local Board chair Brent Catchpole says owners hate hearing it, but any dog can bite. “Our children don’t always know how to behave around dogs, so that puts them at risk.
“Next month’s campaign is about helping children stay safe, but that doesn’t exempt owners from responsibility. I’d urge them to engage too because there will be valuable things to learn.”
Manurewa Local Board chair Matt Winiata says the board is aware there’s a problem. “You need only go for a walk to see roaming dogs, not all of them dangerous, but they still shouldn’t be out.
“No-one wants their dog to attack someone, but if you don’t know where it is, you let it roam, or think it won’t bite, you’re kidding yourself.”
He says the thrust of the campaign is awareness and education around dog attack risks and how they can be prevented.
No matter how cute your dog is, it is still capable of biting.
Manurewa-Papakura ward Councillor Angela Dalton says more than 5,000 roaming dogs were picked up in the south in the year to August.
“Pet owners must take responsibility for community safety and can only do that by desexing, microchipping and keeping their dogs contained, exercised and socialised.
“I know of one incident where three dogs were fighting, and a small child was bitten. Animal Management caught the dogs, which were subsequently destroyed, and their owner fined.”
Data shows Animal Management responded to 37,558 requests for service in the financial year, a 19 per cent increase in roaming, 14 per cent in attacks on people and 19 per cent on animals.
Animal Management manager Elly Waitoa says some people are clearly struggling to look after their dogs.
“Fewer people are getting their dogs desexed or registered, they’re not socialising them or keeping them contained. That means more roaming dogs and the risks that brings. Dogs can be wonderful, but love is not enough to keep one happy, healthy and out of trouble.”
More on responsible dog ownership and preventing dog bites.
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