Dog attacks bring words and action

THE LATEST ATTACKS

* On Tuesday, a man was mauled by a boxer-cross dog at a house in Porirua. Bites to his arms and groin needed surgery.

* Also on Tuesday, a Dargaville dog control officer was attacked when he went to seize two pitbull terriers that had attacked another man, and was bitten through to the bone.

* On Monday, 4-year-old Christchurch girl Michaela Haar had the end of her nose bitten off by a jack russell terrier.

* Last Friday, 7-year-old Carolina Anderson had half her face ripped away by a dog while playing at an Auckland park.

* Last month, in Tauranga, a 3-year-old boy had his face ripped open, possibly by a staffordshire terrier.

* Also last month, Dennis Hohipa, 7, from South Auckland, was attacked by a labrador-cross as he slid down a slide at a park.

* And again last month, 6-year-old Troy Signal, from South Auckland, was mauled by a rottweiler.

THE REACTION

Prime Minister Helen Clark condemned the spate of dog attacks.

"I am appalled at those dogs being in a position to rip children and adults apart," she said.

Local Government Minister Chris Carter:"It is simply unacceptable that young children are unable to enjoy the public amenities of a large metropolitan city like Auckland without fear of dog attack."

National MP Paul Hutchison said the Dog Control Act should be urgently amended to give greater powers to dog control officers and to increase penalties and the importation of dangerous dogs, and their semen or embryos banned.

Auckland mayor John Banks: "I don't think the Courts take seriously enough the fact that owners of animals have a huge responsibility."

THE LAW

The owner of a dog that attacks people or animals may be fined up to $1500. If the dog causes serious injury, it may be destroyed and the owner fined $5000 or jailed for three months.

Dog control officers cannot seize a dog for rushing or threatening behaviour and can only seize a dog roaming at large - not on private property.

Officers are also unable to seize or retain a dog where an officer believes the dog will cause harm, or the owner allow it to offend again.

THE ACTION

In the past two days, Auckland City Council has cracked down on dog owners who walk their dogs without a lead - prior to the attack on Carolina dog owners were first given a warning - with staff issuing 14 $200 instant fines.

Barry Smedts, manager compliance monitoring, said staff would normally issue about eight infringement notices a month.

"I think it's working. On an average week dog control speaks to 50 people when dogs are not on leads. Over the last two days that's only occurred on 14 occasions."

The council would re-evaluate the change to instant fines at the end of the month.