12 May 2005

Prosecutions follow Swanson dog attacks

Two people have been convicted over dog attacks on stock at Swanson when a miniature horse was mauled to death and dozens of sheep killed and maimed.

After an intensive investigation, Waitakere City Council Animal Welfare staff rounded up the culprits and prosecuted them in the Waitakere District Court

Anita Masi and Filipo Masi, both beneficiaries of Ranui, were convicted and sentenced on 9 May 2005 on four charges under the Dog Control Act 1996 section 57(2). There were two counts against each of the defendants who pleaded guilty.

The defendants were ordered to pay reparation of $1674 for horse replacement, vet and burial costs. Both dogs were destroyed.

“These incidents were clearly horrific, at the higher end of the scale of dog attacks. It was reassuring that the defendants pleaded guilty so the owners of the stock were caused no further distress,” says Councillor Ross Dallow, deputy chair of the Planning and Regulatory Committee.

“Waitakere City Animal Welfare Services staff deserve to be commended for their investigation into the attacks, which included door to door visits and property inspections as well as 24 hour armed surveillance of the paddocks,” he says.

The first attack happened on 10 September 2004 at Birdwood Road, Swanson. A total of 32 sheep died and 40 were seriously injured. Many of the injured sheep had to be euthanised.

Animal Welfare staff came across dead and injured sheep scattered over the paddocks. Most had their throats torn open and ears ripped off.

Two Pit-bull Terrier cross-breed dogs were seen running loose at Birdwood Rd. Two nights later, they returned to kill or maim five more sheep.

Again the dogs escaped, although one of the dogs was clearly spotted by a member of the public and an Animal Welfare officer.

On 8 January two dogs killed a miniature horse in Crow’s Road, Swanson. One of the dogs was shot on sight by the owner of the horse. This dog matched the description of one of the dogs involved in the attacks on sheep.

On further investigation by Animal Welfare Staff the second dog involved in the attack on the horse was found and identified as the other dog also involved in the attacks on the sheep in Birdwood Road. The owners of both dogs were discovered at this time.

ENDS

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