Rotorua's adopted pet is the victim of bullying.
And animal control officers have been copping the flak as they try to catch the "mongrel" attacking wee Harawene.
The little black dog which has kept watch on Te Ngae Rd for more than a decade and has become
somewhat of a local icon, is being bullied by a dog that looks like a mastiff cross.
It's been seen chasing and attacking Harawene and armed council staff on the hunt for the culprit are being abused by passing motorists who mistakenly assume they're after Harawene.
People can rest assured the armed officers are trying to protect the popular pooch, not harm it.
The greying fox terrier cross was once a family dog but chose to set out on its own and set up camp on Te Ngae Rd where it spends its days watching the traffic go by.
While the dog largely fends for itself, some people regularly leave food and water.
Since reports started coming in about Harawene being chased and attacked, Rotorua District Council animal control supervisor Kevin Coutts has sent staff out there every day, sometimes twice a day.
So far they've had no luck.
"We've been copping a lot of abuse from motorists who have seen us out there with firearms but we'd like them to know we're not out there to get the little black dog - we're trying to get the mongrel that's been attacking it," Mr Coutts said.
"It's obviously a little frightened to come down near the road where it normally sits."
Council staff saw the mastiff cross on Monday when a lady reported Harawene was being attacked but it "did a runner" and made its getaway among a herd of cows.
A dog trap was set but it didn't take the bait, Mr Coutts said.
"That little dog has been there for years. It doesn't do any harm whatsoever.
"We're pretty keen to take this other dog out of the picture."
Anyone who sees anything or has any information can contact the council animal control section on (07) 348 4199 or (07) 348 4195 after hours.
