Beloved Northland lady to be farewelled after deadly canine attack

A Northland lady killed in a canine attack that rocked her tight-knit hometown is being farewelled in Moerewa this week.

Elizabeth “Effie” Whitakker, who was 78, died within the attack within the yard of her Ōtiria Rd home, west of Kawakawa, final Thursday.

Nephew and household spokesperson Joey Rapana stated “Auntie Effie” was at the moment at Ōtiria Marae, close to Moerewa, the place her many mates and whānau might pay their respects.

After a service at 10am on Wednesday she could be taken north to Te Arohanui Marae, close to Mangamuka, and could be buried amongst her tūpuna (ancestors) at Korokota Urupā in Mangataipa.

Rapana described her as a dearly-loved mom, nanny, aunty and well-known whaea, who was a mom determine to many.

The tight-knit Moerewa group was devastated, he stated.

Earlier Rapana stated this was not the time to put blame for the tragedy, nevertheless it was a name to motion to maintain all communities protected.

He urged individuals to maintain her whānau, particularly her daughters, who have been nonetheless therapeutic from their accidents, and her husband, of their ideas.

Both daughters have been injured going to their mom’s assist. They have since been discharged from hospital with one requiring surgical procedure at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland.

It was understood the attack solely stopped when a neighbour shot the canine.

The actual circumstances have been nonetheless beneath investigation.

RNZ requested the Far North District Council whether or not patrols for roaming dogs or checks to make sure all pet dogs have been registered had been stepped up in Moerewa following the tragedy.

Compliance supervisor Rochelle Deane stated the council’s animal administration officers (AMOs) often patrolled Moerewa, and different Far North cities, and would proceed to take action.

“Following up on unregistered and unknown dogs is a part of the continued work our AMOs perform on the bottom in our communities, throughout all the district, each day. Moerewa is clearly included on this work,” she stated.

rnz.co.nz