Off-leash dog attacks girl at Auckland sports field Crum Park in Titirangi

A young child has been left scarred and traumatised after she was attacked by an uncontrolled dog at a West Auckland sports ground. Photo / GETTY IMAGES

• A young girl was scarred and traumatised after being attacked by an off-leash dog as a football school holiday programme took place nearby at a park in Titirangi, West Auckland.
• Attacks on sports fields by off-leash dogs are increasing, posing risks to children and degrading fields, a council manager says.
• Councillor Josephine Bartley urged dog owners to control their pets near playing fields after the attack at Tahurangi/Crum Park.

A young child has been left scarred and traumatised after she was attacked by an uncontrolled dog at a West Auckland sportsground as other children took part in a football school holiday programme nearby.

The girl was watching football training with family members at Tahurangi/Crum Park in Titirangi on April 22 when the attack took place, Auckland Council licensing and compliance general manager Robert Irvine said.

“She will be left with a large scar and a life-long traumatic memory because of this preventable incident.”

The attack highlighted the “serious risk off-leash dogs pose to our communities”, Irvine said in the council’s latest edition of in-house newsletter Our Auckland.

“This is not an isolated incident and off-leash dog attacks on sports fields are on the rise. Similar situations have occurred at other sports grounds where off-leash dogs have rushed at junior players during training.

“Week after week, dogs are walked off-leash across Auckland’s sports fields while children train, play and compete; an attack can and does happen so quickly when there are kids running around and a dog is off leash.”

A Bay Olympic Football Club school holiday programme was taking place at the park when the attack occurred, but he understood she was not part of the programme, club chairman John O’Hagan said.

He wasn’t at the park when the incident occurred, but was told the girl went into the changing room afterwards to “get some space” and wait for medical help.

O’Hagan wasn’t aware of any issues with aggressive dogs at the park previously.

Earlier this year, a 4-year-old Bay of Plenty boy was killed when he was attacked by dogs.

Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan was fatally mauled by the dogs on March 28 in Katikati.

Katikati dog attack victim Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan, who died on March 28 aged 4.

There have also been other serious dog attacks on children and adults.

The crossbreed dog involved in last month’s Tahurangi/Crum Park attack was registered, an Auckland Council spokeswoman said.

It had been seized and a file started on potential prosecution, but that was at an early stage, she said.

Irvine said off-leash dogs not only put kids and adults at risk of injury, they also degraded the quality of publicly owned fields.

“Dog fouling on sports grounds is a persistent problem – one that poses health risks and ruins the experience for players.”

Under council rules, dogs are not allowed on most sports playing surfaces, including marked football pitches, at any time.

The girl was attacked by an uncontrolled dog while watching football training at Tahurangi/Crum Park in West Auckland. Image / Google Maps

Dogs may still be allowed away from playing surfaces, including on a leash on the sidelines when sport is being played.

Councillor Josephine Bartley called on dog owners to keep their pets under control near playing fields.

“No parent wants to see their child land face-first in dog excrement while playing soccer or rugby.”

Adults, too, deserved a safe and clean environment for recreation, said Bartley, who is a dog owner and chairwoman of the council’s regulatory and safety committee.

“This sort of thoughtless behaviour has serious consequences – let’s keep our sports grounds safe, clean, and enjoyable for everyone.”

Dogs can be exercised off-leash in designated places across Auckland, with more information in the hyperlink.

Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.