Crack down on penguin-mauling dogs

Dogs who have been mauling blue penguins on Stewart Island are being targeted in a joint operation by the Department of Conservation and Southland District Council.

The two organisations are working to find a solution for wandering dogs on the island, after 11 blue penguins were found mauled to death.

"We know that it is only a few dogs that are causing the problems, but their owners need to learn that flouting the law will no longer be tolerated," Stewart Island's biodiversity manager Brent Beaven said today in a statement.

He said the approach by the two groups will also help protect the small number of kiwi and weka that live around Halfmoon Bay.

The two solutions involve DoC partially funding trips to the island by a Dog Enforcement Officer, and some DoC staff receiving dog control warrants to increase the number of dog control officers on the island.

Southland District Council compliance officer Paul Bell told NZPA wandering dogs caught by the dog control officers will be impounded and their owners could face a fine.

Mr Beaven said dog owners must be responsible for their pets.

"They need to know where they are at all times. Dogs need to be restrained at night and cannot wander around the island unsupervised."

- NZPA