Dog owners warned to take greater care of their dogs

The Whakatane District Council is urging dog owners to take greater care with their dogs, especially their interactions with visitors and the general public. Dog owners must be aware of how unpredictable their dogs can be and need to exercise caution when introducing their dogs to visitors and/or when walking them in public places.

This follows a dog attack on a private property in Taneatua on Sunday 24 January 2010, in which a five-year old girl was seriously mauled by two dogs.

The two unregistered bulldog-pit bull cross dogs involved in the attack were removed from the property by Council staff (Sunday 24/01/10) and were destroyed this morning (Monday 25/1/10). The Council will be looking at what further action it might take against the owner.

The Police are now handling this serious dog attack incident as they have the responsibility to investigate and decide what further actions maybe taken against the owner.