Some kids blame the dog for eating their homework.
A local man can blame his dog for a crash on State Highway 3 near Kaitoke about 11.50pm on Thursday last week.
"The driver was travelling in a Mitsubishi RVR to Wanganui from Turakina and had his two dogs in the back of the vehicle with him," Constable Stu Bourne told the Chronicle.
"One of the dogs put their head under the driver's arm and lifted up his arm. The driver has pushed the dog back into the back seat. As he looked back at the road, he heard the sound of gravel on the tyres. He attempted to correct the vehicle but lost control of the back end of the vehicle."
The back of the vehicle broke an 11kV power pole off at ground level, Mr Bourne said. Driver and dogs were uninjured although the road was temporarily closed.