DNA dog surrendered

Signs along Wharau Rd urge dog owners to keep their animals on a leash. Photo / Peter de Graaf

A dog whose DNA matched canine saliva on kiwi found mauled to death on Kerikeri's Wharau Rd has been surrendered by its owner.

The dog, which was handed over to animal control officers on Monday, is now at the Far North District Council pound.

Council spokesman Colin Patterson said the dog was being held "pending further enquiries". No decision has been made as yet about the dog's fate or any action against its owner.

Last month seven kiwi, all bearing dog bites, were found dead along Wharau Rd, off Kerikeri Inlet Rd. The actual number killed is thought to be considerably higher.

The deaths prompted animal control officers and Department of Conservation rangers to go door-to-door in the area, checking for dogs and educating owners. DNA samples were taken from four dogs to see if they matched dog saliva on the kiwi carcasses.

One match resulted. DNA from a second, as yet unidentified, dog was also found on the birds.

In a separate incident, on Saturday another dog was found wandering in the area by a DoC ranger and handed over to animal control.

Mr Patterson said the dog was one of four whose DNA had earlier been sampled, but it did not match saliva on the dead kiwi.

"At this point there is no indication that the dog in question is a suspect," Mr Patterson said.

The dog was claimed by its owner and released on Sunday. The council was considering issuing an infringement notice as well as a dog-control notice.

Animal control officers conducted an after-hours patrol of the Wharau Rd area on Sunday without finding any more dogs on the loose.

The maximum penalties for allowing a dog to kill protected wildlife are a $20,000 fine or three years in prison.