A Hastings woman, Sophie Greer, suffered bite wounds to her hand and arm while protecting her 10-month-old cavoodle, Lottie, from an unrestrained Rottweiler near Pākōwhai Regional Park on July 24. The incident, which occurred at approximately 9:40 a.m., remains under investigation by Hastings District Council’s Animal Control and local police, who have yet to identify the owner of the dogs involved.
The Attack and Injuries
Greer, a nurse, was walking her dog on a lead when a roaming Rottweiler approached them. According to Greer, the dog attempted to dominate Lottie, prompting her to pick up the 7-to-8-kilogram puppy. During the encounter, the Rottweiler bit Greer’s hand and the back of her arm. Greer reported that the animal then grabbed Lottie’s back leg, inflicting a wound that required 17 stitches. In reports corroborated by both the Local Democracy Reporting service and RNZ, Greer described her fear of dying when a second unrestrained Rottweiler appeared alongside a man, who she said did not physically intervene to stop the attack. Greer sustained deep wounds and bruises, while Lottie’s treatment costs have reached approximately $2000, with an estimated $400 in additional costs expected.
Council Investigation and Public Safety
The Hastings District Council confirmed that Animal Control contacted Greer on the day of the incident to check on her welfare and secured a victim statement three days later. John Payne, the council’s regulatory solutions manager, stated that Animal Control officers searched the surrounding area for CCTV footage to help identify the owner. While the investigation is ongoing, Payne noted that the council relies on community reports to track roaming dogs, as officers cannot maintain 24-hour patrols across all streets. He emphasized that the end of winter and early spring represent a period of increased roaming, particularly during lambing season, and warned that even typically well-behaved dogs can revert to hunting and chasing instincts when left unrestrained.
Potential Next Steps in the Case
As the investigation continues, authorities are likely to focus on identifying the owner through public tips or surveillance evidence. If the owner is located, they could face enforcement action under local bylaws or animal control legislation, depending on the evidence gathered. Greer has expressed a desire for the owner to surrender the dogs to authorities, citing concerns that the animals pose a continued risk to the public, particularly children and the elderly. At the time of reporting, the owner had not been found, and no formal charges have been announced.
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