AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL
MEDIA RELEASE

14 December 2005

Destruction of dog ordered after attack

The prosecution of a dog owner by Auckland City after his dog attacked and injured another dog is a timely reminder to all dog owners to keep their pets under control at all times.

In the Auckland District Court last week, Judge Deobhakta ordered the destruction of the dog. The dog's owner, Mr Justin Paddy, was convicted of owning a dog that attacked another dog, obstructing an animal control officer and of failing to control his dog at another separate incident. He was ordered to pay fines totalling $800, as well as $260 court costs, prosecution costs of $200 and the complainant's vet bills, which were $4,652.

In June this year, the dog, a staffordshire bull terrier, ran out of its owner's Ponsonby property and attacked another staffordshire bull terrier, which was being walked in a designated dog exercise area. The dog's leg was broken in two places and it sustained deep puncture wounds. The offending dog was unregistered at the time.

Warren Adler, Auckland City's service requests manager, says the prosecution of a dog owner and destruction of a dog is only sought in the most serious cases.

"It is not a decision we take lightly," he says. "Attacks such as these are entirely preventable and highlight the need for owners to keep their dogs under control at all times.

"With all the publicity about dog attacks over recent years, there is no excuse for dog owners not to be aware of damage dogs can inflict and to not take necessary measures to keep them under control."

Auckland City was notified of 73 cases of dogs biting other animals in the year from 2004 to 2005.

ENDS

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