Conservationist shoots ninth dog in kiwi zone

Environment Waikato councillor Arthur Hinds has admitted shooting another two pig dogs near his Tairua farm.

It takes to nine the number of dogs Mr Hinds has killed on or near his property in recent years.

Police ruled that Mr Hinds was within his rights to shoot pig hunters' dogs in April on Tairua land designated part of the Whenuakite kiwi zone.

And the conservationist and justice of the peace - labelled "Rambo" by pig hunters in August - is making no apologies.

Mr Hinds found the pig dogs on the adjacent Wallace block, which he leases, and shot them before discovering dead sheep.

He claimed the dogs, belonging to a Whitianga pig hunter, killed 12 sheep and 10 lambs and mauled two others.

"It highlights the danger our kiwi are under," Mr Hinds said.

The dog owner could not be contacted for comment.

Asked if it concerned him as a conservationist to be killing so many dogs, Mr Hinds said: "It does. I don't like shooting dogs, because they are one animal that knows what is about to happen.

"But it is people who have to be responsible."

- NZPA