Kaikohe farmers seek answers after dogs’ deadly rampage on sheep

Roaming, unregistered dogs have been responsible for killing dozens of sheep in rural Kaikohe over the years.

• A Northland farming couple lost 18 sheep and lambs to unregistered dogs in November.
• Far North District Council is investigating, but has not disclosed the dogs' fate or owner’s penalties.
• Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford and others demand transparency and action to prevent future attacks.

A Northland farming couple who’ve lost dozens of livestock to roaming, unregistered dogs want action taken following the latest deadly rampage.

Far North District Council (FNDC) said it was investigating after two unregistered dogs attacked and killed 18 sheep and lambs on John and Lily Coleman’s property on the outskirts of Kaikohe in November.

While one dog, a large male mixed breed, was shot dead by a neighbour, the second dog, a female mixed breed, was later impounded by an animal management officer.

At the time, FNDC district council compliance manager Rochelle Deane said an investigation was under way to determine enforcement action on the female dog’s owner.

John Coleman said he wants to know what has been done.

“We want to hear what action the council is taking against the dog owner or the dog, whether the dog has been put down or returned, we don’t know.

“We want to know what the result is.”

However, the council won’t say what happened to the dog or whether its owner was fined or prosecuted.

In a statement, a spokeswoman said the council had “concluded its investigation”.

“A key part of that process was speaking with both the dog owner and the owners of the sheep,” she said.

“After collecting all relevant details on this case, we are satisfied that the appropriate enforcement action has been taken.”

John and Lily Coleman want to know what action the council is taking following the mauling of 18 of their sheep.

The attack follows a series of similar dog attacks on the couple’s property in 2022, when about two dozen sheep and lambs, along with a calf and several chickens, were mauled and killed.

Each time the Colemans faced the distressing task of putting maimed animals out of their misery.

Following one of the previous attacks, two large brown dogs were surrendered to animal control officers and later euthanised.

However, no further action was taken because there was no direct evidence they were involved in the attack, Deane said at the time.

Far North Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford said the Colemans “have a right to know” the outcome of the recent investigation.

“The people who have been impacted by this awful event have the right to know what is going to happen with the owner, and whether the dog has been destroyed or not,” she said.

Bay of Islands Watchdogs Group founder Leonie Exel said it was a “disgraceful example of a continued lack of transparency from council about what is happening in animal control and with people’s dogs”.

“The public should know because the council has an obligation to listen to what the community wants and needs and tell us what they’re doing.

“They are there for us.”

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania said a lethal combination of aggressive dogs and irresponsible owners was behind the worsening picture of dog control in the Far North.

Far North District councillor Steve McNally said roaming dogs killing sheep is “an eternal problem”.

McNally used to manage large farming blocks in Ōmāpere, Rangihamama and Mangakahia in the 1990s and lost 150 sheep during one incident.

McNally said the economic impact of losing sheep to roaming dogs – about $130 per sheep - is huge.

“The emotional toll is also high as the mauled carnage the farmers are left to deal with is horrific.

“If dogs are getting a mob of sheep, it’s not good, it’s a really disturbing scene you come across.

“Owners must contain and control their dogs.

“This is an owner problem, not a dog problem.”

There has been a noticeable increase in irresponsible owners in the Far North, with many favouring aggressive breeds that are less likely to be properly cared for, socialised, trained and registered.

The issue prompted Far North Mayor Moko Tepania to call on owners and communities to become part of the solution.

Tepania said the “lethal combination of aggressive dogs and irresponsible owners” was behind the worsening picture of dog control in the Far North.

Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with roading, lifestyle, business, and animal welfare issues.