Kawerau scare sparks roaming dog warning

Residents are urged to report any instance of roaming dogs to their local council. Photo / 123RF

A Kawerau woman is speaking out after a frightening encounter with a dog in the town centre.

Waimarie Mitai was walking along Onslow St, outside the Cosmopolitan Club, when a dog approached her last week.

“I usually wait for dogs to come up and say ‘hi’ because I love dogs,” she said.

“But it came up to me and straight away bit my dress. I was too shocked to move.”

The dog’s owner, who was walking behind, yelled for it to stop before grabbing it and apologising.

Although Mitai was not injured, the incident left her shaken.

“It’s the first time something like that’s ever happened to me,” she said.

“I was in shock.”

She later shared her experience on social media to raise awareness, particularly for more vulnerable members of the community.

“I realised I wasn’t really aware that some dogs can be quite violent,” she said. “I was just glad it wasn’t a baby, a small child or an elderly person.”

The incident comes amid ongoing concerns from residents about roaming dogs in Kawerau.

Kawerau District Council group manager of regulatory and planning Michaela Glaspey said animal control officers carried out regular patrols across the district and responded to complaints within a targeted timeframe.

“Our officers patrol twice daily where possible, and we aim to respond to reports of roaming dogs within 30 minutes. We’re currently achieving that about 78% of the time,” she said.

The council also works with residents to address repeat issues, including using monitored traps in appropriate locations and inspecting properties when dogs are impounded.

“A lot of dog owners are responsible, but there are a few ongoing issues,” Glaspey said.

“It is ultimately the owner’s responsibility to ensure their dog is contained on a properly fenced property.”

Council staff say under-reporting remains a key challenge, with some residents hesitant to come forward.

“We really encourage people to report roaming dogs,” Glaspey said.

“We can’t be everywhere at once, and reporting helps us understand the scale of the problem and respond effectively.”

She has reassured residents that complaints can be made confidentially.

“We do not release complainants’ information. In fact, we’re one of the few councils that will accept anonymous reports.”

Chief executive Morgan Godfery said immediate reporting was crucial, as delays could make it difficult to find roaming animals.

He also highlighted desexing as an important step in reducing the number of uncontrolled dogs in the community, though acknowledged cost can be a barrier for some owners.

Community Services cardholders in Kawerau can access discounted desexing assistance for their animals, through KTown Community Animal Welfare.

Mitai hoped sharing her experience would encourage vigilance and responsible pet ownership.