Roaming dogs attack 93-year-old Northlander's pet again

Jim Morgan and his canine companion, Sandy, have struggled to get regular exercise without being harrassed by roving dogs. Photo / Debbie Beadle.

Elderly Kaikohe resident Jim Morgan has never fully recovered from the injuries he suffered when he and his terrier/Chihuahua cross were attacked by a dog in Harold Avenue in April last year.

He is back to walking Sandy, with difficulty, however.

And that's what he was doing on Friday when Sandy was attacked again, by two mongrels that appeared from a property on Harold Ave.

Before he knew it the bigger dog was "all over Sandy," he said, and seconds later the smaller one joined in.

He tried to beat them off with his walking stick, but it was a child, aged about 10, who saved the day.

She responded to his yelling for help, grabbing the dogs by their collars and taking them inside.

Sandy wasn't injured this time, but 93-year-old Mr Morgan had already become wary of leaving his home.

And he didn't even feel safe there, after a large dog jumped over his picket fence and sniffed around his garden.

He had had a bad hip since last year's attack, he added, and was having trouble taking Sandy for walks.

His home help had been assisting him, but had been told to stop because walking the dog was not part of their job.

Northland Age reporter Debbie Beadle saw the problem for herself when she was in Harold Ave on Tuesday, talking to residents.

"It wasn't long before a black and tan dog appeared on the street, followed by another, then a larger tan dog," she said.

"Within minutes there was a dog fight happening." She also saw two dogs in De Merle Street and one in Wihongi Street.

Far North District Council compliance manager Darren Edwards said animal management officers regularly patrolled that area, and had investigated.

An apologetic resident had acknowledged two dogs had wandered from the property.

The dogs, both registered, were returning to Wellington the next day.

Officers would use Northland Age photos to speak to other owners.

One dog had been tracked to De Merle Street and an owner spoken to.

A follow-up visit was scheduled, and officers would secure registration information.

They would also re-visit to ensure the two Wellington dogs had not returned.