He trotted out the failed old slogans about tighter regulations only hurting responsible, registered dog owners, and that "70 per cent of dog bites occur in the family home, or with friends". He pointed the finger at irresponsible dog owners who disobey existing laws.
Imagine the furore if Mr Key were to substitute "wife-bashing" or "child molestation" for "dog bite" and similarly dismiss the need for urgent action.
Accident Compensation Commission claims have long revealed a steady rise in claims, reaching 12,406 in 2013. Dog apologists have hidden behind the ACC's definition of dog bite, which includes injuries caused by being "kicked, butted or bitten by a live dog", claiming this exaggerated the true extent of the problem. Trip over a sleeping dog and make a claim, they mock.
The new research proves otherwise. It's based on hospital records and paints a stark picture. About 27 dog attack victims report to emergency departments every day. Two are so seriously injured they have to be admitted for surgery. More than a third are children, the highest
at-risk group being kids aged 9 or under. Maori and Pacific Island children are 2.4 times more likely to be victims.
Overwhelmingly, the dogs target children's heads, with 79 per cent of 0 to 4-year-olds and 63 per cent of 5 to 9-year-olds suffering head or neck wounds.
As Mr Key noted, 69.8 per cent of attacks occurred at a private residence or property. But so what? Swimming pool drownings also occurred mainly at private residences, but that didn't prevent nanny state introducing stringent fencing controls to protect kids from the shortcomings of parents or other adults.
If stronger laws are not the answer, then what is the Government's solution to stemming the flow of dog attacks?
In 2013, the ACC paid out $3.3 million in compensation. But that doesn't cover the cost to the public health budget, or the ongoing cost of the disfiguring injuries the victims have to live with.
A good first start would be giving humans the same sort of protection the law gives to poultry or sheep. At present, a farmer can shoot a dog caught running among his chooks or stock without repercussions. But in suburbia, a dog "worrying" kids or passing posties has to be held by the local authority for seven days before its fate is decided.
Of the 12,406 dog attacks recorded by the ACC for 2013, just 525 prosecutions followed, along with 61 destruction orders. That was well down on the 83 death sentences for 2012, despite dog attacks being up nearly 500.
And these are just attacks that get reported. The Animal Control Institute says the true figure could be closer to 20,000, with many families covering up attacks for fear their dog will be put down.
If only it was that easy.
Like family violence, dog attacks are a national scandal. Successive governments have rightly endeavoured to abate the former. But with dogs, we wait in vain for a prime minister to similarly pledge that "dog violence is far too high and the Government is committed to addressing the long-standing issues".
