Local residents are sleeping more soundly knowing Wairoa district Council animal control staff are on the job.

There has been a significant swell of community support to assist the Council staff in tracking down the rogue dogs believed to have killed more than 30 sheep in three separate attacks.

Council’s compliance team leader Paul van Dorrestein said the Council’s press release published in the Wairoa Star last Thursday resulted in a series of phone calls from people with information about the dogs.

“I have received over a dozen calls on my cell phone thanking the team with one call in particular from a person saying they no longer feel the need to sleep in their vehicle in the paddock with their sheep.

“The callers have reported seeing the exact same dogs which are believed to be responsible for the attacks which occurred in the Kaimoana Road, Airport Road and Frasertown Road areas last week.

“The Wairoa District Council and the animal control team sincerely thank the local community for their positive response in trying to capture the dogs suspected of the attacks.

“It’s great to receive this response from the community, it’s a hard job at the best of times but to have such a response is extremely satisfying.”

Mr van Dorrestein said the locals are sick of the ongoing dog problem and are doing everything they can to assist the Council staff.

It’s believed the pack of dogs has been responsible for the death of more than 30 sheep, two cats and nine chickens.

One of the dogs running in the pack has been shot, but at this stage, the other two have not been located.

The dogs are described as mixed breed, predominantly black in colour with tan markings. The dog that was destroyed had no collar, registration tags or microchip.

Investigations into the attacks and the ownership of the dogs are ongoing, and dog traps have been set.

Council staff have issued one infringement notice to a dog owner after the dog was discovered roaming.

Dog owners must have their dog controlled and confined at all times, and roaming dogs which are caught will be impounded which includes fees and charges and the possibility of an infringement notice being issued.

Council staff remain on high alert and have increased patrols in the area and have already noticed fewer dogs roaming.

Locals are taking steps to check on neighbouring properties and are reporting anything out of the ordinary.

Mr van Dorrrestein urged anyone with information to contact the Council on its 24/7 line 838 7309, particularly if they see the dogs in action.

“With the help of the community reporting, we will continue to be on the lookout for these dogs until they are caught.”

28 January 2019

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