More than 300 dogs have been euthanised in Tauranga and the Western Bay since June 2017 - a large number of which were pitbulls.
Latest figures released to the Bay of Plenty Times revealed close to one in five dogs that walked into the Western Bay of Plenty dog pound in 2018 never walked out.
About one in seven had the same fate at the Tauranga City Council dog pound between July 2017 and June 2018.
The two councils provided different reporting periods - Western Bay data provided to the Bay of Plenty Times covered the whole of 2018, Tauranga City's data was for the 2017/2018 financial year.
Of the dogs euthanised in the Western Bay district, about half were pit bulls or identified as having similar characteristics
Tauranga City Council's website underlines that any American pit bull terrier type or crossbreeds of them would never be rehomed.
The American Pit Bull Terrier Association of New Zealand spokeswoman Karen Batchelor said the large number of pit bulls being euthanised was a result of breed-specific legislation, where a dog was put under certain rules or perceptions due to its breed.
Batchelor said, in her opinion, breed-specific legislation was a "major embarrassment" to the country, especially considering the research that refuted its efficacy and claims that any breed was inherently dangerous.
Local director at Straight Talk Law, Beverley Edwards, said a high number of dog control officers were not trained dog breeders or experts, and many dogs were being put down for "looking like a pitty".
Te Puke pit bull owners Karla Henderson and Nick Morton said they were both massive advocates for the breed and it "all comes down to handling".
Henderson said their two pit bull crosses were the most affectionate, loving and well-behaved dogs.
Morton, who has had five pit bulls in his lifetime, said the negative stereotype was a "joke".
According to the Dog Control Act 1996, all pit bulls were considered menacing and must be muzzled in any public place. A council by-law calls for them to also be desexed.
Tauranga City Council said almost 2500 more dogs had been registered in the area in the past five years.
In the 12-month period provided, 787 dogs were impounded at the Tauranga City Council pound, however, the council was able to provide only six months of rehoming figures, showing 33 were adopted.
Nine-hundred and sixty-nine dogs were impounded at the Western Bay pound, with 162 of these rehomed.
A Tauranga City Council spokesperson said although there had been a large increase in known dogs in the area, impound and euthanasia rates were decreasing.
Both councils still undertook temperament testing on any dogs remaining in the pound longer than seven days to assess whether they could be rehomed.
If a dog failed the temperament test, it was euthanised for public safety.
Western Bay District Council compliance and monitoring manager Alison Curtis said of the dogs euthanised, about half were pit bull or identified as having similar characteristics.
The reason behind this high figure was the Dog Control Act 1996 nationally identified pit bull types as "menacing", and both Western Bay and Tauranga City pounds said menacing dogs were, in most cases, not rehomed.
Curtis said impounded dogs were predominantly not desexed. Dogs that had been desexed were often less likely to roam.
Although the Western Bay of Plenty pound's euthanasia rates appear high, the council had a very active dog adoption and fostering programme.
Western Bay District Council promoted impounded dogs on their website, Facebook page and list them on TradeMe.
It also had a group of fosterers who care for them, get them socialised and learn their "furry personalities" to best suit them to their adoption family, said Curtis.
If you wish to adopt a dog from either pounds, please contact Tauranga City Council or visit the Western Bay of Plenty District Council website.