An Ōpōtiki resident who sustained three leg bites during a September 9 attack by two menacing dogs is calling for tightened control measures, telling the local council that the community’s sense of safety has changed.
Attack Details and Council Response on Princess Street
According to Awhina Kurei, the incident occurred on Princess St in the Eastern Bay of Plenty town. The dogs involved were already classified as menacing by the council and had a history of biting twice before. Records show the owners had been issued five infringement notices, and dog control staff had previously requested police assistance to visit the property, as stated by regulatory manager Jessica Hunter. Kurei received three bites to her legs during the attack and stated she has lost the sense of safety she previously felt in her hometown.
“I stand before you today as a proud Ōpōtiki uri (descendant), raised and nurtured in the safe streets of this community… that sense of safety has changed,” Kurei told the council. Hunter explained that while the property was fenced and the dogs were required to be muzzled in public, “those dogs were able to jump the fence.” Following the incident, one dog was impounded while the other ran away.
Broader Community Impact and Resource Pressures
Kurei told the council that dog control issues extend beyond the Ōpōtiki township into rural areas and Te Kaha. Coast Māori ward councillor Pāpā Wharewera acknowledged Kurei’s presentation, stating, “The attack that occurred was by dogs known to council. The dogs had bitten twice before, yet an attack occurred again. Nothing in [this policy] gives me confidence that we are addressing the fact that there are dangerous dogs or that they are being dealt with.”
Addressing operational constraints, Hunter noted that the council employs two full-time staff to cover a large district containing 1,732 registered dogs, leaving the team severely under-resourced. Having a dog euthanised requires a time-consuming investigation process, Hunter said, adding, “We can’t blanket euthanise any dog that has made an attack … The amount of work involved is enormous.” Over the past year, the council impounded 200 dogs, rehoming 74 out of the district, returning 40 to their owners, and destroying 75—marking 110 fewer destructions than the previous year. There are currently 53 classified menacing dogs in the district.
Policy Review and Potential Enforcement Shifts
Mayor David Moore stated that prosecuting dog owners who flout the law would send a clear message, noting that no prosecutions occurred over the past year. “I do believe there have been some cases where there should have been over the last few years,” Moore said, adding that while time-consuming, prosecutions send a very clear message. Council chief executive Stace Lewer pointed to constraints within the Dog Control Act, noting that a current government review of the legislation—prompted by a national spate of attacks—could result in more favourable outcomes and increased ability for councils to take a hard line.
Following the submissions and discussions, the Ōpōtiki District Council agreed to hold a workshop on animal control to examine potential solutions.
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