Dog praised for killing rat bound for pest-free island

Motuihe Island. Photo / Jim Eagles

A rodent-detecting dog has been praised by its Department of Conservation (DOC) handler for catching and killing a rat found on a van about to be ferried to Motuihe Island, a pest-free island in the Hauraki Gulf.

Pai, a specially trained border terrier cross, sniffed out the rat today while carrying out a routine check of cargo being loaded onto the ferry at Half Moon Bay in the Auckland suburb of Howick.

"It's hard to over-state the significance of catching and killing this rat before it got to Motuihe Island," said Fin Buchanan, the DOC ranger in charge of biosecurity on DOC-managed islands in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

"The island has been free of rats, and other animal pests that prey on native wildlife, since 1996.

"If this rat had got to Motuihe, endangered species including kakariki, bellbirds, saddleback and shore skinks would have been at risk of being wiped out."

There was a risk that if a rat population had developed on Motuihe, rats could have swum to neighbouring pest-free islands such as Browns Island and Rakino Island, which are also safe havens for endangered wildlife, he said.

"We're also on track to declaring Rangitoto and Motutapu pest-free this winter and these islands would also have been at risk if this rat had not been caught and killed today," he said.

It was obvious there was a rodent in the van which had boarded the ferry, Mr Buchanan said.

"Pai began straining on his lead as soon as he began checking the van. He knew there was a rodent somewhere on the vehicle," he said.

The van was taken off the ferry and the rat appeared to be in the engine area.

"I got into the cab of the van and began banging on the area above the engine," Mr Buchanan said.

"The rat dropped out of the engine and tried to escape but Pai caught and killed it.

"I must admit I'm very proud of Pai. I feel like the father of an All Black who has just scored a try in a test match."

- NZPA