Wandering dogs causing problems in Greymouth

The fox terrier wandered off from its owner's home. Photo / iStock

A fox terrier came off second best in Blaketown yesterday when it took on a much larger dog.

Grey District Council dog control officer Murray Malloch said the feisty wee dog had wandered at least a kilometre from its owner's home when it ventured on to a property at the river end of Doyle Street, where the much larger dog was tied up, about 2.30pm to 3pm.

"The dog on the other property was under restraint. [The fox terrier] took on another dog. The foxie should never have been there and the owner has been told he is going to be charged for letting it wander," Mr Malloch said.

The fox terrier came off second best and it was initially thought it might not survive after suffering severe bite wounds.

However, by this morning it was reported to be holding its own, Mr Malloch said.

The owner had come to the attention of the authorities, including the police, a number of times, as recently as a fortnight ago, and would be fined, he said.

"We've had enough ... This one has been a repeat offender, wandering."

Mr Malloch said dog owners by law were obliged to contain their dogs.

It was not good enough to simply let them wander around the neighbourhood and believe it was okay.

"That's the problem, people don't know where their dogs are."

- Greymouth Star