Kaihū dog attack: Police seek cyclists chased by dogs before fatal mauling

Police are continuing to investigate the fatal dog attack in Kaihū, Northland. Photo / Jason Dorday

Police investigating a fatal dog attack in Northland have uncovered two potential incidents in which cyclists were chased by dogs in the same area.

Mihiata Te Rore, 62, died last Tuesday after she was attacked by three dogs while visiting someone she knew at a property on State Highway 12 in Kaihū.

The dogs involved have been euthanised after several days of being impounded.

Police last week appealed for anyone with information about roaming dogs in the Kaipara settlement to come forward.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, of Whangārei CIB, said today they had received a number of calls in response.

He said police had learned two cyclists had potentially been chased by dogs in the same area in Kaihu in November and December.

“We would really like to hear from those people – if this was you or you know who these people may have been please get in touch with us."

Pilmer thanked the people who had come forward since Te Rore’s death, saying they had provided valuable information.

Te Rore was the third person to be killed by dogs in Northland in the past four years, triggering calls for great action from local and central government to address the issue.

A service for Te Rore was held on Saturday, with many family and friends paying tribute to her via social media.

Information can be provided to police via 105, using the reference number 260217/8328 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.