Owner found in dog-cat case

The dog is currently with animal control while the owner has an appointment with animal management today.

The owner of a dog seen carrying a cat in its mouth is meeting with animal control officers today as part of an investigation into the incident.

Police were called to Manse St near Whangarei Girls High School about 2.30pm on Wednesday when motorists reported seeing a dog carrying a cat. Traffic was being forced to go round the dog and cat in the middle of the road.

The Whangarei District Council confirmed they also received a complaint from a member of the public and an animal control officer went to the street straight away and took the dog from police on Lupton Ave. The dead cat was also collected by an animal officer.

The owner of the cat contacted animal control on Wednesday evening after their neighbour had witnessed a dog attacking a cat. The cat owner identified and collected his cat yesterday morning.

The owner of the dog, who was being looked after by a family member, was away but aware of the situation and has an appointment with animal management today. An eye witness said she was parked up waiting for her daughter to finish school when she saw the dog carrying the body of a limp cat in its mouth.

She was not sure if the cat was dead and had not seen the dog attacking the cat.

"It was a golden-coloured husky looking dog and it had the cat in its mouth. It wasn't shaking its head or anything, not like it was trying to kill the cat."

She said there were a number of people around on the footpath, including some students.