Person dies after dog attack at home in Kaihu, Northland
The attack was at a Kaihu home on State Highway 12. Photo / Google Maps
A person has died after being mauled by dogs at a home in Northland.
Police said the attack, at a Kaihu home on State Highway 12, was reported to police at 11.25am.
Whangārei-Kaipara area commander Maria Nordstrom said there was no risk to the public and the dogs had been restrained.
Police are now examining the scene in Kaihu, which is about 32km from Dargaville.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said they were notified of an incident in Kaihu at 11.22am. One ambulance and one helicopter attended.
An Ahipara resident had earlier told RNZ locals have been arming themselves with sticks to protect against roaming dogs.
Mayor speaks on ‘tragic’ incident
Kaipara District mayor Jonathan Larsen said the situation was “tragic”.
“My thoughts go out to the people that are involved,” Larsen said.
“It’s an awful, awful situation to deal with.”
He said the Kaipara District Council animal management team responded to the incident, and were working alongside police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and Hato Hone St John.
“I can confirm that the dogs have been secured, but obviously, there’s going to be an investigation underway,” he said.
Larsen said he was yet to know the full circumstances surrounding the incident and did not know how many dogs were involved at this stage.
Wairoa Ward Councillor for Kaipara District Council, Snow Tane, said the impact on the Kaihu and wider community would be “absolutely huge”.
“It will be absolutely devastating for the Kaihu community and surrounding areas as well, because everybody knows everybody,” Tane said.
Tane said it was important people knew that although the incident was isolated, people should always report roaming, distressed or unmanaged dogs.
“My view on dog control is pretty firm,” he said.
“I think that we need to have more responsible dog owners, and with that responsibility comes not only dog control and making sure that the owner has not only registered them, but keeping them secure and providing the animals with a high degree of care,” Tane said.
He said there was more to be done about the issue, and education on responsible ownership was key.
“People shouldn’t have to carry clubs or bats just to walk their own streets”
Minister of Local Government Simon Watts called the event a tragedy and his thoughts were with the victim’s family and the wider community.
“Roaming dogs are a serious issue facing many communities across the country, and I share the frustration of those dealing with them,” he told the Herald.
“People deserve to feel safe in their neighbours; they shouldn’t have to carry clubs or bats just to walk their own streets.”
The minister said the Department of Internal Affairs was continuing work on several approaches to support better dog control including improving the quality and consistency of national dog-related data.
“The Department is also working with the local government sector to refresh and improve dog control enforcement guidelines,” Watts said.
“This work will ensure consistent enforcement across New Zealand, and updated guidelines are expected to be issued by the beginning of Quarter 3, 2026.
“Following today’s tragic event, I have additionally asked officials for urgent advice on all available options to address this issue immediately.”
History of Northland attacks
This death is the third fatal dog attack in Northland in the past five years.
In August 2022, Neville Thomson died at his house in the Far North town of Panguru. The man who owned the dogs, Abel Wira, was later jailed for three and a half years in New Zealand’s first dog-attack manslaughter conviction.
The pack of dogs that killed Thomson reportedly had a reputation for lunging at visitors, attacking livestock and even allegedly turning on their owner.
In October 2023, Elizabeth “Effie” Whittaker died after a dog attack in the backyard of her Moerewa home.
The family of the woman, who was in her 70s, spoke of their devastation at the loss of a “dearly loved” mother, nanny, and aunt.
“No one would have expected such a tragedy in our community,” her family said in a statement.
No one has been brought to justice for the death.
More to come
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