Dog enforcement bites

Auckland City Council’s approach to dog aggression has seen the number of reported incidents drop dramatically for the fourth successive year.

Statistics just released for the last eleven months show that the level of reported dog aggression in Auckland city have fallen to an all-time low of just 320, almost a third of the 2002/3 figure of 1032. Of these, 152 were reports of a dog biting another dog or other animal and 113 involved a person being bitten.

“We are not complacent,” says Auckland City Council’s animal contracts manager, Clare Connell, “but we do feel that our multi-pronged approach is working.”

“We are targeting unregistered dogs, aggressive dogs, irresponsible owners, dogs off the leash and wandering dogs. We know that not all attacks are reported, especially if the dog belongs to a family member or a friend, but we are confident that these numbers represent a very real improvement. Public support is vital and we especially acknowledge the nearly owners of over 19,000 registered dogs and the general public for their contribution.”

Anyone who wants to report a problem with a dog, including dogs wandering or barking, should phone animal control services on (09) 360 0750. it helps if people can fully describe the dog ─ its breed, size and colour, any collar or tags ─ and the time, location and direction if it is roaming.

The council also offers the following advice aimed at helping people identify aggressive dogs and minimise the prospect of an attack.

If a dog is barking, growling, or snarling and showing its teeth, it may be preparing to bite.

If the animal's legs stiffen, its ears are flattened back, its tail goes up or the hair on its back stands up, then the dog is warning you. In such cases you should avoid the animal, and calmly move away from it.

The council advises people to not:

· intervene when dogs are fighting
· reach your hand through a fence or into a car window to pat a dog
· enter someone's property until the dog's owner knows you're there
· bother a dog when it's eating or sleeping
· scream, wave your arms about or run away when encountering a dog
· make a dog feel trapped by cornering it or boxing it in
· surprise a dog by creeping up on it
· leave a dog alone with an infant or child.

Further advice is available at www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dogs .

ENDS

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