Far North council investigates Kerikeri dog attack at Waitotara Reserve

Kase was seriously injured when he was attacked by a German Shepherd on a morning walk in Kerikeri.

The Far North District Council is investigating a reported dog attack that left a pet seriously injured and its owner traumatised.

The incident turned a morning walk into a traumatic ordeal for a Kerikeri family, after a German Shepherd attacked their pet at the Waitotara Reserve, alongside Waipapa Rd, last week.

Jakob Honing said his wife, Noortje Honing-Wirschuleit, had been walking their dog, Kase, when the German Shepherd attacked suddenly.

“It pretty much swallowed, well didn’t swallow, but put our dog’s head in his mouth and started mauling,” Honing said.

His wife started screaming as the bigger dog clamped down and tried to pry Kase free. The owner of the German Shepherd appeared distracted.

“It took her quite a while to get the dog to get his mouth open and free our dog’s head. They both had to work pretty hard to get him out.

“By then our dog was bleeding, and my wife was upset. The owner was saying, ‘He’s never done that before,’ while my wife was trying to stop the bleeding.”

The owner then rushed off without leaving any details.

Kase was taken to a vet and needed surgery, costing more than $1000, for injuries including three deep wounds to his neck.

“He is still in pain, but will recover … My wife is pretty traumatised. She could hardly speak at the vet, she was just crying.”

The incident has since been reported to the Far North District Council (FNDC), which confirmed it was investigating.

Honing said the response to a post about the attack on a community social media page suggested it was not an isolated incident.

“It is pretty concerning … if your dog is off a leash, you need to be attentive and control your dog.”

He suggested that the council should tighten off-leash rules, and said he believed dogs should be on a leash.

“Don’t give people the choice. They can’t handle it and there is no enforcement, there’s nothing whatsoever. So they leave it up, they leave it up to the people.”

The council said dog owners were required, under the Dog Control Act, to keep their animals under control at all times.

FNDC’s group manager for delivery and operations, Hilary Sumpter, said that, while most owners in the Far North acted responsibly, some residents might feel unsafe in shared spaces.

“Areas where dog off-leash or on-leash rules apply are set by the council’s Dog Management Policy. The Dog Control Bylaw and Policy are due for statutory review by June of this year. Any changes to the policy will be undertaken with community consultation.”

She encouraged people to report incidents and provide as much identifying detail as possible.

“The council acknowledges the majority of dog owners in the Far North are responsible, but if people feel unsafe in district reserves, they should call the council to speak to our animal management team. A full description of the dog, the owner and any other identifying information is crucial when reporting incidents like these.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident at Waipapa is encouraged to call 0800 920 029.