Meanwhile, ACC figures revealed 367 dog-related injury claims were made in Rotorua in the last financial year. The claims, which were worth $439,351, included all injuries involving dogs, not just attacks.
Pet First Aid & Training director Joanna Clough believed there were many more cases of out of control dogs than were reported.
"A lot of people don't report when things go wrong because they don't think it's that big of a deal or they don't want to risk losing their dog," she said.
Pet First Aid & Training is a nationwide organisation also based in Rotorua.
Several things could cause issues with dogs, Ms Clough said.
"It's easy to point the finger but in reality, it's a combination of things.
"It's a lack of education; it's irresponsible dog owners; it's dogs getting too wound up and excited.
"When dogs get overexcited they don't know what to do so their response might be to nip somebody or bite somebody."
Ms Clough recommended people - especially children - pat dogs on the side rather than on the head.
"If a small child that's about the same height as a dog tickles it under its chin and the dog doesn't like it, and its reaction is to bite, it's only logical that the dog will bite the child's face."
Owners should socialise their dogs from a young age, Ms Clough said.
"Puppy training school is the best thing for them because they're around people and other dogs."
