Meanwhile, ACC figures revealed 1031 dog-related injury claims were made in Northland in the last financial year. The claims, which were worth $562,925, included all injuries involving dogs, not just attacks. Medical experts and victim advocates have called for tougher laws - but the Government says no.
Keith Thompson, manager of Environmental Northland which covers dog control in Whangarei and Kaipara, has said dogs could be dangerous, and they would chase or snap at people to defend or assert themselves.
"While your dog might be obedient and friendly, they can - and will - bite as a defence, as a fear reaction, or simply because something is annoying them," he said.
Mr Thompson said it was uncommon for a dog to attack for no reason and owners needed to have their dogs controlled at all times, he said.
Experienced Whangarei dog trainer Ann Kenny last week called for owners to take more responsibility after a Whangarei woman's dog was attacked at Pohe Island's Dog Agility Park.
Cara Kruger said her 5-year-old fox terrier/chihuahua cross, Poppy, was in the mouth of a pit bull cross - which was shaking her - for about 30 seconds before it dropped her. She said Poppy wasn't seriously injured but was distressed by the attack.
Ms Kenny said owners needed to learn the personalities and limits of their dogs and keep an eye on them in public.
Tony Gill, convener for the Whangarei Dog Park Committee, said owners were generally good at controlling their dogs. However, he'd started training sessions at the park after noticing some owners had no control over their dogs.
Nationally, more than 2500 charges were made under the Dog Control Act in the past five years, with just over 350 dog destruction orders granted.
