“This is a horror for Ms Te Rore’s whānau and friends, her community, and for all those linked to the incident, including police and animal control staff,” she said in the letter.
“Local problems need local solutions.”
Her recommendations included monitoring local government on its response to rushing dogs, and its ability to operate transparently and collaboratively.
Exel recommended a “first year free” dog registration and free microchipping for all dogs to determine the number of dogs in the district and know their locations.
She said that could include free registration and microchipping for dogs awaiting adoption, and payment plans for residents to pay off dog registration over a year.
Exel told the Advocate that one of the biggest barriers in the Far North to registering dogs was poverty.
“We’ve got a district where if you’ve got extra money, you need to feed your kids,” she said.
Far North District Council (FNDC) group manager for delivery and operations Hilary Sumpter said council was working with the SPCA on a programme to provide dog desexing in high-needs communities.
It aimed to have flexible payment plans available for the next registration year too.
Exel felt an Animal Commissioner was “critical” to getting to the root of the issue.
She told the Advocate such a role was vital to ensure honest and transparent monitoring of what was happening in the country regarding animal welfare, animal safety, and human safety.
Watts said the Department of Internal Affairs was working with the local Government sector to refresh and improve dog control enforcement guidelines.
“This work will ensure consistent enforcement across New Zealand, and updated guidelines are expected to be issued by the beginning of Quarter 3, 2026.”
Watts had asked officials for urgent advice on all available options to address the roaming dogs issue after the fatal attack.
“People deserve to feel safe in their neighbours, they shouldn’t have to carry clubs or bats just to walk their own streets,” he said.
Exel felt dog control in Northland had been “abysmally managed” and needed a shakeup, pointing particularly to the FNDC.
Two of Northland’s fatalities have occurred within the Far North District.
“Far North District Council have been hesitant to deal with the most dangerous dogs and instead have at times gone for the low-hanging fruit,” she said.
That was dogs that were easy to fine, prosecute and warn instead of more difficult cases, she said.
Sumpter said FNDC had issued 827 infringements during January and February for non-registration.
Animal Management Officers were actively checking compliance on existing probationary and disqualified owners, and dangerous and menacing dog notices, she said.
“... Where notices are not being followed, we will be taking enforcement action.”
Issues, including ‘backyard breeders’ who give dogs away for free, the size of the district, and people owning guard dogs, were noted.
Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.
