The Twin Coast Cycle Trail should be more user-friendly with the removal of roaming dogs. Photo / Peter de Graaf
The Twin Coast Cycle Trail should be more user-friendly with the removal of roaming dogs. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Two of the dogs responsible for terrifying a group of tourists in the Far North have been impounded, along with a puppy, while another roams free.
Far North District Council animal management officers removed two dogs and a puppy from a property on Ngapipito Rd, Kaikohe. Subsequent visits to theproperty to capture the third adult dog have proved fruitless.
Last week a group of Twin Coast Cycle Trail riders from Auckland claimed they had to pedal for their lives when they were chased by a pack of aggressive dogs.
Concerns for the safety of other riders left them questioning whether they could recommend the trail to others despite the impressive scenery, local accommodation and transport.
Since a complaint was made, animal management officers had visited the property daily to speak with the owners. However, no one was home and, despite several notices being left asking them to contact the council, they had failed to do so.
None of the dogs is registered and the property is unfenced.
The on-leash rule is clearly marked at every entrance to the Twin Coast Cycle Trail. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Council spokesman Ken Lewis confirmed three dogs had been removed from an unfenced property. They were of a mixed breed – bullmastiff shar pei cross – family and included a mother and 10-week-old puppy. Another dog, a whippet cross, was proving elusive.
Officers had returned several times to unsuccessfully capture the dog and had now set a dog trap on a neighbouring property.
"The good thing about the ones we got is it's the mother of the puppy and, quite often with a dog with a young puppy, they are the ones to instigate that [protective] behaviour."
Council environmental services manager Rochelle Deane said animal management officers prefer not to impound dogs if they can work with owners to resolve issues. However, in this case, they had little option.
Notices were left at the property advising the occupants the council had impounded their dogs and to contact animal management staff. The dogs were being held at an animal shelter.
Lewis believed there was no sign of negligence to the dogs and investigations were continuing. The Far North council had no history of these particular dogs, he said.
The group of eight cyclists were riding along Ngapipito Rd last Friday when it is believed the three people leading were rushed at by three large dogs emerging from a driveway.
The cyclists began pedalling faster in a bid to get away, with the dogs close behind and one woman jumping over a fence. Another came within centimetres of being bitten.
The dogs eventually gave up and returned to their property, but the five slower cyclists stopped in a driveway, afraid to ride past while the dogs continued to bark and threaten.
A local couple went to their aid, offering the use of their landline - the valley has minimal cellphone coverage - and told them it was a regular occurrence.
At the centre point of the trail is boutique hotel and restaurant Left Bank and co-owner Di Maxwell's response to the dogs' capture was: "They've done something at long last".
The Auckland guests had been staying at her accommodation and, although she hadn't had problems with these particular dogs before, she knew of others who had.
"It's a pity it has to go to the media before things are done," she added.
Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail general manager Adrienne Tari was also relieved to hear the outcome.
"It would be good if dog owners can be responsible for their dogs' wellbeing and have them restrained and be proactive in keeping people safe when they're riding the trail."
