The Department of Conservation says it is still searching for the owner of a dog that killed a baby fur seal on an Auckland Beach last week.
Department spokesman Nick Hirst confirmed it was continuing to investigate the incident but would not give any details on progress.
"What we are talking about is a potential prosecution, we are trying to find [the owner] and charge them. We're not in a situation where we can say more," he said today.
The attack was believed to have taken place near Otakamiro Point at Muriwai where dogs are prohibited.
Retired landscape photographer Bin Bai and his wife Mingua Yu saw the dog shaking and biting the young seal and carrying it by the throat. Mr Bai took photos of the attack.
The seal eventually washed out to sea after a man approached the female dog, thought to be a Staffordshire-cross, and removed the seal from its mouth.
The dog's owner potentially faces a fine of up to $250,000 or two years' jail if charged under the Marine Mammals Act for harassing, disturbing or killing a seal.
Anyone with information about the incident can contact DoC on 0800 DOCHOT (0800 362468).