For beasts commonly referred to as man's best friend, dogs certainly cause some anxiety in society. Fears over attacks on people and animals tend to spark a frenzy of calls to ban particular breeds and put restrictions on movement of people with canine companions.
But what often happens whenever the issue of out-of-control dogs emerges is the debate becomes more one of emotion and less one of dealing in facts and rational thought.
Dog lovers and those not inclined towards canine companionship tend to square off with a lack of understanding that we are dealing with essentially wild animals that have been domesticated. They are intelligent and able to be trained to perform all manner of tasks, but there resides in their genetic makeup a base instinct from the past that occasionally manifests itself in an aggressive or violent way.
Luckily, there has not been an over-reaction to this week's reports of attacks on birdlife in Castlecliff. Several birds have been maimed and killed in the area in a series of vicious attacks. It would be all too easy to lay the blame on all dogs, but clearly this is a case involving one or more rogue animals that have a blood lust. The authorities have rightly acknowledged there is a problem of roaming dogs in the area and asked for assistance to catch the offending animal or animals.
Wanganui District Council has boosted patrols in the area, which is the least the residents deserve. It would, though, be unduly costly to send a mass of officers on to the streets in the hope of catching the canine killers in action.
