'Hungry' dog attacks police, animal control vehicles

A "hungry" dog with penchant for rubber attacked and punctured the tyres of police and animal control vehicles four times in Auckland overnight.

A south Auckland police sergeant first encountered the "large black dog" while patrolling in Mangere about 11pm.

The dog attacked his vehicle and the sergeant retreated to find it had bitten and punctured his tyre, police said.

After changing his tyre, the officer went back to ensure the dog was not a danger to the public.

The dog then attacked his tyre again giving him a second puncture.

After retreating a second time he returned with another police officer, who also had his tyre attacked and punctured.

The pair then sought specialist help - only for the dog to attack the tyre of an animal control officer's vehicle.

A police spokesman told NZPA the dog was still on the loose this morning.

Police wanted to hear from the occupants of Pukaki Street so they could find the owner of the dog.