Good doggie: Whanganui animal control record big drop in attacks, barking and rushing

Call outs for barking dogs and dog attacks have dramatically fallen in Whanganui. Photo/ Bevan Conley

Whanganui dogs have been on their best behaviour with Whanganui District Council recording a sharp drop in attacks and barking.

Council's animal management responded to 159 dog attacks in the 2017/18 year, 27 per cent fewer than the previous year.

There were 1057 callouts for barking dogs, which is down 12 per cent and a 37 per cent reduction in dog rushing.

"It is a significant decrease," council's compliance operations manager Warrick Zander said.

"We are at full strength with our team now. We did operate under strength for most of the 2016/17 period which would have seen an increase in attack and rushing complaints.

"I also put it down to the quality of service that our officers are providing as well to make sure we don't get repeat offenders.

"We're dealing with them first time rather than allowing them to re-offend."

Council's compliance operations manager Warrick Zander says having a fully staffed animal management has helped reduce dog attacks.

There are 7814 known dogs in the Whanganui district with just over 98 per cent registered.

Three are classified as dangerous and 211 as menacing.

Meanwhile, animal management also recorded drop ill treatment down to 116 cases to 74.

Wandering animal incidents dropped from 1210 from 1771.

In 2017/18 just 21 of 652 infringement notices issued by animal management have been paid with 312 written off and 319 lodged with the court.