By BRIDGET CARTER, ALAN PERROTT and NATASHA HARRIS
A Northland dog breeder has died after being bitten by one of three dogs at her house.
Alaskan malamute breeder Yvonne Harris, aged 73, was found dead in her Ruakaka home on Wednesday by a neighbour.
The scene of her death was so grisly that police and doctors thought she had been murdered.
Whangarei police area controller Inspector Paul Dimery said yesterday it appeared that Mrs Harris died after a dog bit her leg, cut her varicose veins and caused severe blood loss.
The incident comes after a spate of dog attacks.
Last night, Mrs Harris' neighbours said she had three alaskan malamutes at her home, two of hers and one belonging to her daughter.
All three were taken away by Environment Northland's animal control yesterday, but it is unknown whether any will be destroyed.
Sheryl Brown said she went next door to check on her neighbour after Mrs Harris' daughter telephoned her saying she had not heard from her mother for three days. Mrs Brown said she looked through the window and saw Mrs Harris sitting in a chair. Realising she was dead, Mrs Brown called the police.
"She had dogs her whole life.
"They were beautiful dogs."
Mrs Harris' daughter, Desne, said she did not want to talk about her mother's death until she had heard from the police again.
Another neighbour, Beatrice Galvan, said the dogs began whining last Friday.
Guests staying overnight on Monday had complained of not getting any sleep because of the increasing noise.
Mrs Galvan said the dogs were noisily trying to enter the home through the kitchen window when she left for work at 6am on Wednesday and she had intended complaining to police.
She had spoken to another neighbour several times in the past few weeks about her concerns for Mrs Harris' safety.
Mrs Galvan was worried about her ability to control the large dogs. Neighbours were also worried that Mrs Harris could not walk the dogs because of their size.
Mrs Harris was the first New Zealander to bring Alaskan malamutes to the country.
Other breeders last night described her as "a respected malamute professional".
Peter Stables, a breeder for 20 years in Kumeu, said the dogs had a strong pack hierarchy, but were very friendly with people.
"I'm flabbergasted as I didn't think this would have happened to Yvonne, who knew the dogs so well. It would have to be a freak accident," Mr Stables said.
Christchurch breeder Clive Coulson said having three dogs on a property should not have been a problem.
"Having three dogs is fine for an elderly person - I'm 67 and I have nine dogs, which hasn't been a problem. By the time I'm 80, I'll still have three or four dogs."
Northern Alaskan Malamute Club president David Guy said malamutes were good family dogs.
His dogs were "quite comfortable" around his 6-week-old son.
Helen Greaves, a breeder from Papakura, agreed the dogs were "very good with people".
"They are the sort of dog I'd trust my life with."
Moves are already afoot to place heavy restrictions on more dangerous dog breeds because of the recent attacks.
Malamute puppies sell for about $600 and when fully grown weigh between 35kg and 50kg.
Alaskan malamutes were bred by the Inuit people to be all-purpose dogs, good for hauling sleds and hunting polar bears, moose or wolves.
They were also family pets that watched over children and kept them warm during winter nights.
Herald feature: When dogs attack
How you can help
A trust fund has been opened for 7-year-old dog attack victim Carolina Anderson. You can send a cheque to: Carolina Anderson Trust Account, BNZ, PO Box 46-294, Herne Bay, or donate over the internet to BNZ account number 020 248 000 3002-000.
The Herald is backing an appeal to raise money for a $150,000 operating-room microscope for Middlemore's plastic surgery unit. The microscope is essential in minute plastic surgery work such as reattaching nerves. Middlemore has two, used on Carolina Anderson and the victims of the Pipiroa sword attack, but they need replacing. Donations can be sent to: The Microsurgery Appeal, Editorial Department, New Zealand Herald, PO Box 706, Auckland.
