$563,000 spent on local dog injuries

Training sessions have started at Whangarei's dog park (above) after Park committee convener Tony Gill noticed some owners had no control over their dogs.

More than 80 charges were laid in Northland under the Dog Control Act during the past five years.

Figures released to the Northern Advocate under the Official Information Act reveal 82 cases of Northlanders being charged under the act since July 2010.

Most charges were brought before the Whangarei District Court - with a peak of 55 charges in the 2011/12 financial year. Five dog destruction orders were granted across the Whangarei, Kaitaia and Kaikohe courts over the five years.

Under the Dog Control Act, all dogs are required to be registered, microchipped, kept under control and looked after. Some breeds are illegal to import.

Fees, penalties and dogs classified as dangerous are overseen by councils, but criminal action can also be taken through the courts.

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.