Many dog attacks go unreported: pet safety expert

A pet safety expert believes many dog attack cases never go to court.

More than 2500 charges have been laid against dog owners in the past five years - though a pet safety expert believes many more cases never go to court.

Figures released under the Official Information Act revealed 2556 charges under the Dog Control Act between July 2010 and June 30 this year.

Dog destruction orders were granted in 354 cases.

Under the Act, all dogs are required to be registered, microchipped, kept under control and looked after. Some breeds are illegal to import.

Fees, penalties and dogs classified as dangerous are overseen by councils, but criminal action can also be taken through the courts.

In October, a six-year-old Bay of Plenty boy sustained life-threatening injuries after he was viciously attacked by a relative's dog.

The attack prompted medical experts, victim advocates and politicians to call for tougher laws.

However, associate local government minister Louise Upston said an assessment of the country's dog-control laws by the Department of Internal Affairs last year found no need for change.

Several dog attacks have made headlines since - including an elderly Mount Maunganui man who suffered wounds across his body as he fought to free his pet bichon from the jaws of a bull terrier.

Pet First Aid & Training director Joanna Clough believes many more attacks go unreported.

"A lot of people don't report [to authorities] when things go wrong because they don't think it's that big of a deal or they don't want to risk losing their dog," she said.

Owners need to socialise their dogs from a young age, Ms Clough said.

"Puppy training school is the best thing for them because they're around people and other dogs. Going to dog parks is great but only if they're able to be kept under control."

Several things could cause dogs to attack, Ms Clough said. "It's easy to point the finger but in reality, it's a combination of things.

"It's a lack of education; it's irresponsible dog owners; it's dogs getting too wound up and excited.

"When dogs get overexcited they don't know want to do so their response might be to nip somebody or bite somebody."

Ms Clough recommended people -- especially children -- pat dogs on the side rather than on the head.

"If a small child that's about the same height as a dog tickles it under its chin and the dog doesn't like it, and its reaction is to bite, it's only logical that the dog will bite the child's face.

"If the child stands alongside the dog and pats it and the dog doesn't like it, the dog owner may be able to move the dog out of the way, or if it does try to bite, it's more likely to go for the child's hand, than its face."

Prosecutions under the Dog Control Act 1996

Financial Year Charges Dog destruction orders

2011: 335: 39

2012: 603: 83

2013: 529: 62

2014: 551: 87

2015: 538: 83

(Source: Ministry of Justice)