With the recent death of an elderly woman in Moerewa, North of Auckland, caused by a dog attack, and the increase in the number of these episodes throughout the country, authorities have raised the alarms and called all dog owners to extreme precautions with their pets.

Just in the Bay Of Plenty, The Tauranga City Council Animal Services team has received 64 reports of people being attacked by dogs from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

March 2023 was a particularly bad month, says Tauranga’s Animal Services team leader Brent Lincoln.

“During the third month of the year we have reported 15 attacks, we think it is partially because during that month census workers were going door to door which increased the interaction between people and dogs and some of these can be really territorial sometimes.”

But remember a dog attack is not merely defined as a person being bitten by a dog, the attack can include a dog rushing into another animal or person with the intention to hurt them.

“Through the year, we reported 122 Incidents where other dogs or domestic animals were attacked, along with 83 cases where a dog is deemed to have rushed at a person without any physical contact,” says Brent Lincoln.

The attacks over the past 12 months are reasonably consistent with previous years, says the Animal Services team leader.

“Despite the increase in known dog numbers which generally are around 500 per year on average. With the human population of Tauranga growing, the potential for attack interactions increases too, however, the incidence of attacks in comparison to the number of known dogs is still less than two per cent.”

Despite what people think, there is no special breed associated with these attacks, and no matter if they are small, big, household pets or roaming dogs, animals can attack especially after some particular situations.

The victims of the attacks, the breeds of dogs involved, and the circumstances of each are many and varied, and fortunately, we have no cases as the one reported in Auckland this week, says Animal Services team leader Brent Lincoln.

“Whilst all dog attacks are upsetting for all those involved and include varying degrees of injury, none in the past year have resulted in serious injury to the victims.”

To reduce the probability of a dog’s aggressive behaviour, the Animal Services team leader recommends:

• To include regular exercise in the animal's daily routine.
• Frequent socialisation with other dogs and with human families.
• Desexing, particularly of male dogs.
• Visit professional trainers who can provide advice and training to help with aggression.

Finally, the team leader of the Animal Services in Tauranga encourages all the residents to call Council on 07 577 7000, If anyone or their animal is attacked by another dog.

“We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including public holidays. Reporting an attack today could prevent a more serious one in the future.”