Farmer appalled by response to 111 calls about gunshot

A Northland farmer who told police he might have been fired upon as he stood next to his 4-year-old daughter on his farm is appalled by their reaction.

Police did not visit Carl Butcher's property near Trounson Kauri Park, 30 minutes north of Dargaville, but defended their actions yesterday by saying the farmer had refused to make a formal complaint.

Mr Butcher rejected the claim, saying he rang 111 many times after the gun was fired on Wednesday morning and waited all day for Dargaville police to visit and take a statement.

Mr Butcher, daughter Cassandra and a farm worker were standing on a ridge around 8am when the shot rang out. He said they saw a woman in the distance holding a rifle and pointing it in their direction.

Mr Butcher, who knew the woman's identity, said he returned home and rang police.

His call to Whangarei was directed to the northern communications centre in Auckland, which said it would have a Dargaville patrol dispatched to the job.

Mr Butcher said the woman left a message on his phone that referred to "shooting animals".

Inspector Paul Dimery of Northland police said Dargaville staff received the job from the communications centre and a sergeant phoned the suspected shooter.

The woman said she was on her way to Dargaville and would stop at the police station for an interview.

Mr Dimery said a constable phoned Mr Butcher to ask if he would also visit the police station.

Mr Butcher and Mr Dimery yesterday gave conflicting versions of the police response.

Mr Dimery said Mr Butcher refused to make a formal complaint.

But Mr Butcher claimed Dargaville police made an appointment to visit him but called in the afternoon to cancel. A spokesman for the northern communications centre would not comment last night.

Mr Dimery said a constable rang the family at 2pm and told Mr Butcher's wife that "no offence has been established".

Mr Dimery confirmed that police did not visit the home of the neighbour Mr Butcher identified as holding the rifle.

"We took it seriously, we take any of those sort of things seriously and until we're satisfied that no one is in danger we'll continue to take them seriously," Mr Dimery said.

"I'm disappointed Mr Butcher didn't want to follow through with his complaint.

"The bottom line is if someone doesn't want to tell us what has happened it's really hard to inquire into the matter."

Mr Butcher said he and his family did not feel safe and all he wanted was for police to visit the property and confiscate the firearm.