The Government has ordered a comprehensive review of New Zealand’s Dog Control Act in a bid to “ crack down on roaming and uncontrolled dogs” following a number of horrific attacks.
The review was announced this morning – almost a year to the day after a preschooler was killed in a vicious attack by three dogs.
It also follows feedback from councils that the act is “outdated” and preventing them from doing their jobs properly to keep the public safe.
The scope of the review is still being considered but will include looking at penalties and consequences for non-compliant dog owners, desexing obligations, and stronger powers for council officers.
It will also assess existing clauses that may be “imposing barriers or resource pressure on councils”.
The announcement comes days before the first anniversary of the death of a preschooler after a savage attack by three dogs in Katikati.
Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan, also known as Timoti, was playing with his neighbours’ three dogs when they turned on him.
The 4-year-old died as a result of the injuries inflicted by the American bulldog cross, border collie-mastiff cross and a Staffordshire bull terrier-border collie cross.
Earlier this month, in a separate case, police charged a 35-year-old woman with owning a dog that causes the death of a person.
In February Mihiata Te Rore, 62, died after she was attacked by three dogs while visiting someone she knew at a property in her hometown of Kaihu in Northland.
Soon afterwards, three people were injured – one critically – in a dog attack in Christchurch.
Animal Control restrained the two dogs during the incident at a property in Bryndwr.
A 52-year-old woman is facing similar charges in Timaru after her staffordshire bull terrier labrador cross attacked and injured another woman in February.
Councils, animal shelters and victims told the Herald they have been warning the Government for years that without updated powers for local authorities, there would be more dog-attack fatalities.
“We have heard clearly from Local Government New Zealand and councils that the Dog Control Act is outdated and is preventing them from doing their jobs effectively. This is putting unnecessary strain on resources and the wider system,” said Local Government Minister Simon Watts today.
“That’s why the Government has ordered a comprehensive review of the Dog Control Act to ensure the law empowers councils to keep communities safe.”
Watts said enforcement guidelines would also be “updated” so dog control officers “have a consistent approach to their work, with clarity on how they should respond and what tools are available to them”.
He has also sent a letter to “every council” outlining his expectations around dog control and “encouraging them to make full use of their powers”.
“As we review the act, I want councils to be able to confidently say they are using every power available to tackle this issue,” he said.
“The letter also reinforces that the Government wants to work alongside them as we review the act and continue to update the dog control enforcement guidelines.”
Watts acknowledged that the community were “appalled by recent attacks by aggressive and out-of-control dogs”.
“People are reporting that they are avoiding areas in their neighbourhood because they have been attacked or have reason to believe they will be,” he said.
“Kiwis should be able to walk, run or take their kids to the park without worrying about being harmed.
“Dog owners must take responsibility and keep their animals under control to protect their families and visitors, as well as the wider public, wildlife and pets.”
Watts said dog control issues were “best managed locally” – and councils already had enforcement powers under the Dog Control Act.
While the review is carried out, further work will be done by government agencies to “respond to dog attacks and support public safety”.
Police will continue to work with local councils and to provide ongoing support to dog control officers where assistance is required.
The Department of Conservation (DoC) will also “step up monitoring in high-risk areas and expand its professional hunter response” so incidents involving feral or uncontrolled dogs on public conservation land can be dealt with quickly.
“Police have a role to play in dog control when council staff have safety concerns while dealing with dangerous and high-risk dogs,” said Police Minister Mark Mitchell.
“Police will accompany council staff where police-only powers are required or there are significant safety risks.”
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said the DoC response will focus on places “where dogs pose a risk to people or vulnerable native wildlife”.
He said staff would work closely with councils, iwi, landowners and communities to “support early detection and co-ordinated action where problems arise”.
Earlier this week the Government also announced a targeted $468,000 grant to the SPCA for dog desexing.
The SPCA will contribute a further $700,000, bringing the total investment to almost $1.2 million.
“Dog overpopulation is a significant problem and is often linked to irresponsible breeding,” Watts said.
“This grant funding supports a practical, preventative measure to help reduce the number of unwanted dogs.
“The Government’s response is about backing councils to keep their communities safe and holding dog owners responsible for their animals.”
Anna Leask is a senior journalist who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 20 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz