Owner willing to fight to keep pet bull

John Rakei-Clark and Boots. Photograph by Ben Fraser

John Rakei-Clark wants to be left alone to raise his beloved bull, Boots in his backyard.

But the Rotorua District Council says that's not going to happen as it's prohibited under council bylaw.

Mr Rakei-Clark of Hillcrest is the co-owner of the year-old friesian bull who he's helped raise since it was six days old. It was impounded by animal control for the second time last week and was reunited with its owner yesterday and walked back from the pound to its 3000 sq m stomping ground.

Image 1 of 4: 240714bf17 John Rakei-Clark with his pet bull Boots Photo/Ben Fraser

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"He's part of the family, we've become very close to him," Mr Rakei-Clark said.

"He's very placid and is loved, he's like one of our dogs. He often sticks his head through the window and eats the fruit off my table."

Mr Rakei-Clark said it often grazed on the council-owned land behind his property near the Utuhina Stream and had wandered but would be kept in his backyard from now on. He realised it was against council bylaws to have Boots at his home and he was originally intended to be kept on family trust land in Horohoro. But he was staying put for now.

"We've been raising animals at our house for 60 years now. When my father was there, we had pigeons, pigs, this isn't new. Boots is the start of our family herd that we plan to have. I'm willing to fight this in court if I have to."

Rotorua District Council compliance solution manager Neven Hill said the council's view was that city suburbs was not a safe place for a large farm animal.

"The key reasons are around public safety, community health and hygiene, and the potential impact on neighbours in residential areas. As a general rule the prohibition also applies to reserves and other council land," Mr Hill said.

"The recent impounding of a bull in the Hillcrest area by our animal control officers was not only because the animal was being kept on an urban residential property, contrary to bylaws, but also because it was not being kept secure.

"On two occasions now the animal has been picked up loose on the streets and on a state highway, putting motorists and pedestrians at risk. The owner has also at times been keeping the bull on public reserve."