Dogs part of $400,000 in injury claims

Dogs were cited in 779 claims to ACC in the Western Bay of Plenty

Dogs contributed to more than $400,000 worth of injuries in the Western Bay of Plenty last year.

Dogs were cited in 779 claims to ACC in the Western Bay of Plenty, costing $444,103.

The figures included all injuries that mentioned a dog or dogs in the claim, not just attacks.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council compliance and monitoring manager Alison Curtis said the council had 28 reported complaints of dog attacks last financial year. There were a further 52 instances where complaints had been made about a dog rushing, or showing aggressive behaviour.

She believed all animal services officers in New Zealand would agree dogs were not dangerous animals. However, there were various breeds of dogs that were naturally more likely to be aggressive and they were classified under the Dog Control Act as menacing dogs.

"The way that more aggressive breeds of dogs are managed and cared for by owners can mitigate their potentially aggressive behaviour or increase it. Equally, there are dogs that are not classified by breed that can be aggressive - and again this is a result of the way that the animals are treated and managed," said Ms Curtis.

She said council received 690 complaints about dogs roaming last financial year.

Issues associated with roaming dogs included the potential for dogs on roads to cause accidents as well as injury to the dog itself.

Ms Curtis said council focused on working with dog owners to ensure their animals were well cared for and registered. Registration was important for ensuring roaming dogs could be returned to owners.

"Responsible dog ownership ensures that dogs are well managed and reduces the incidents of injuries and attacks caused by poor dog behaviour," said Ms Curtis.

Horses were the animals most commonly cited in injury claims after dogs. Horses were mentioned in 262 Western Bay of Plenty claims, worth $350,298. Cattle contributed to 95 injuries, costing $247,861.

ACC media adviser Suzanne Muth said animals inflicting the highest number of injuries weren't necessarily the most dangerous.

There were significantly more cattle, sheep and horses in New Zealand than other animals such as deer.

"Therefore the number of cattle, sheep and horse-related injuries is proportional, and not because these animals present a greater danger," she said.