Dogs ‘destroyed’, fines issued in Auckland crackdown on owners
Friday, 9 May 2025
A severe attack on a child at a suburban park has highlighted the serious risk that irresponsible dog ownership poses, says Auckland Council.
It comes as the council imposes a crackdown, issuing owners with fines and taking debt enforcement for the first time.
Last month a young girl was watching football training with family members at Tahurangi Crum Park in Titirangi when she was attacked by a roaming dog.
Council general manager for licensing and compliance Robert Irvine said the girl will be left with “a large scar and a life-long traumatic memory”.
“An attack can and does happen so quickly when there are kids running around and a dog is off leash,” he warned.
The dog was seized shortly after the incident and has since been released on strict conditions pending potential prosecution. It was a mongrel of no discernible breed, staff said.
Last year there were 592 dog attacks on people and animals in Auckland, with 392 owners having to surrender their dogs and six court-ordered “destructions”.
Irvine said the recent attack in West Auckland was far from an isolated incident, with attacks by dogs off-leash specifically on sports fields a disturbing trend.
“Week after week, dogs are walked off-leash across Auckland’s sports fields … This behaviour not only puts children and adults at risk of injury, but it also degrades the quality of our fields.”
Last week, the Sunday Star-Times reported on calls from Eastern Suburbs AFC to ban off-leash dog walking at Madills Farm. Dogs are ordinarily already not allowed on sports fields, but Madills has an exemption.
The proposed ban prompted a howling community response with 1649 submissions received for and against by the Ōrākei Local Board.
The board ultimately backed down, but it remained a sore issue, with “dog fouling” on sports fields region-wide a “consistent problem”, the council said.
“No parent wants to see their child land face-first in dog excrement while playing soccer or rugby,” says Regulatory and Safety Committee Councillor Josephine Bartley.
“This sort of thoughtless behaviour has serious consequences. Let’s keep our sports grounds safe, clean, and enjoyable for everyone.“
Meanwhile, Auckland Council has for the first time taken “firm action” against owners failing to register their dogs with 5500 infringement notice sent out early this year.
And in an unprecedented move, those who failed to pay a $300 fine and register are being taken to court and are facing debt collection.
“This is the final warning,” Bartley said. “Ratepayers should not have to bear the cost of irresponsible dog owners who refuse to register their animals.”
Irvine added: “The time for leniency has passed – it’s now a matter of fairness to those who do the right thing.
“Those who continue to disregard their obligations should be prepared for additional penalties.”