Decline in dog attacks: Whanganui pushes steady approach as dog laws reviewed

Whanganui District Council officials say dog control is not a pressing concern in the district as incidents continue to fall. Photo / Nick Monro, RNZ

Whanganui officials say current dog control measures are working effectively, as the Government considers changes to national legislation.

The Whanganui District Council has reported a year-on-year decline in incidents such as dog attacks and wandering dogs, with no significant issues currently facing the district.

Regulatory and compliance operations manager Jason Shailer said the council was “pleased” with the trend and did not view dog control as a pressing concern locally.

The Government is moving to overhaul the Dog Control Act and bring in tougher laws after a series of serious attacks.

While the council supported efforts to improve public safety, it stopped short of calling for major legislative change to dog laws.

“We support any review that enhances the safety of our community,” Shailer said.

However, he said it was too early to comment in detail without further information from central government.

“From a council perspective, the current legislation is working well for Whanganui.

“We’d like any changes put in place through the review of the Dog Control Act to strengthen the good work we’re doing in Whanganui around dog control, in the interests of further improving public safety.”

Some other councils are pushing for sweeping reform, arguing the existing law leaves them unable to act decisively.

Ruapehu District Council has described current legislation as “not fit for purpose”, with Mayor Weston Kirton saying authorities are often “hamstrung” after serious incidents.

Among the changes being sought by the Ruapehu mayor are stronger enforcement powers, including the ability to intervene earlier with dangerous or menacing dogs; lower legal thresholds to obtain destruction orders for dogs involved in attacks; reducing the impound time from seven days to five; and longer owner disqualification periods, increasing bans from three years to up to 10 years for repeat offenders.

Kirton also wants mandatory reporting of dog attacks by health professionals, including hospitals and GPs, tighter breeding and kennel regulations, improved containment rules, such as mandatory fencing standards for large or powerful dogs, and potential breed classification changes, including calls to review the list of menacing breeds.

Separately, the Whanganui council has completed a statutory review of its Dog Control Policy and Bylaw, making only minor amendments to improve clarity and readability.

Strategy and policy manager David Gurney said public consultation on the updated policy opened on March 31 and will run until May 3.

“We’re required by law to regularly update our policies,” Gurney said.

He said submissions from the community would be considered and further changes could be made where practicable.

The consultation process comes as part of routine policy updates, rather than in response to dog-related incidents.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.