Fatal dog attacks spark calls for tougher breeding and enforcement laws

Summarised by Centrist

Three people were injured in a serious dogattackin Bryndwr, Christchurch on Saturday, days after 62 year old Mihiata Te Rore was killed in Kaihu, Northland.

A third recent incident in Timaru left another person injured. Te Rore is the fourth person killed by dogs in the past four years.

Association of Professional Dog Trainers president Dr Jess Beer said the frequency of attacks is “distressing.” She said aggression in dogs is “multi-factorial” and raised concern about “backyard breeding,” where roaming or un-desexed dogs produce large litters that are difficult to rehome. Rescue groups, she said, are “absolutely flooded” and she called for “better management of what dogs are pro-creating.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said packs of roaming or uncontrolled dogs are “something you read about in developing countries … yet it’s happening in many of our communities.” He said the government was open to further action but noted dog control is primarily a council responsibility.

Complaints about the dogs involved in the Kaipara fatal attack had reportedly been made to the council four times in recent months.

On The Platform, broadcaster Michael Laws asked: “Why hasn’t somebody done anything about it?”

Under the Act, owners of dogs that cause serious injury face up to three years’ imprisonment or a $20,000 fine, and courts must order the destruction of the dog unless special circumstances apply.

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