Police say the canine that killed an elderly girl in an attack in her Far North yard was a family pet.
The group in Moerewa is shocked and grieving after the lady, who was in her 70s, died – and her two daughters had been left injured within the attack on Thursday.
Her household mentioned they had been devastated on the tragic lack of their dearly cherished mom, nanny and aunty.
Police haven’t but launched the identify of the lady, who was a widely known whaea of the Far North group.
Family spokesperson Joey Rapana mentioned they had been devastated on the tragic lack of a dearly cherished mom, nanny and aunty.
“No one would have anticipated such a tragedy in our group.”
Rapana mentioned his aunty’s two daughters had been nonetheless therapeutic from their accidents.
“This shouldn’t be the time to put blame anyplace however a time to name for motion to maintain all our communities protected,” he mentioned.
“We are all right here as a group to help our uncle and his whānau right now.”
A member of the family on the home in Moerewa instructed RNZ his aunt had been hanging out washing when the canine, a pet, attacked her.
The animal was reportedly shot by a neighbour earlier than police arrived.
Police mentioned the canine belonged on the property however had been nonetheless investigating precisely what occurred.
The tragedy has reignited concern in regards to the variety of roaming pet dogs – and harmful breeds – within the small group.
Moerewa native Andrew Naera mentioned it had hit the group.
“Definitely is a giant shock a tragedy, completely, condolences exit to the household concerned.
“It has been an issue round right here for some time, by way of dogs being set free and roaming the streets.”
Bee has lived in Moerewa most of her life and mentioned pet dogs had been usually left to roam the streets – though that wasn’t the case on this attack.
“I actually really feel that the canine scenario on this city must be addressed and one thing must be completed, sooner moderately than later in order that this type of factor would not occur once more.”
Bee mentioned she had had a number of run-ins with roaming dogs.
“We do have a number of dogs on this city which can be very vicious. I at all times walk round with my umbrella now as a result of I’ve a serious worry of dogs.”
Five years in the past, on the identical street in Moerewa, two youngsters had been attacked by dogs in separate incidents on the identical day – leaving one in hospital with leg and again accidents.
Naera anxious about youngsters’s security and was involved about pet dogs left roaming.
“I’m sufficiently big to deal with myself I consider however we have got kaumatua, kuia and youngsters that walk round right here in order that’s extra the first concern.”
Far North deputy mayor Kelly Stratford requested privateness for the small Northland group, because it handled the tragedy.
“Unfortunately as we speak I feel everybody’s waking up dogs in a special gentle which is actually unhappy for the dogs but it surely’s the canine house owners who’re at fault.”
But she acknowledged there was a wider downside.
“There is an issue with the quantity of dogs which can be wandering in each single city of this district. Our canine management officers are stretched.”
A Northland canine welfare group mentioned the native council had a historical past of poor animal management.
Bay of Islands WatchDogs co-ordinator Leonie Exel mentioned the rising inhabitants had outpaced old notions of canine possession.
“When I used to be a child everyone let their dogs wander. You walked to high school, the canine walked with you. We’d all go to the bush or the seashore throughout the day and everyone’s dogs would simply comply with us and that was the norm and it was pretty, it was about group dogs,” she mentioned.
“But you may’t have group dogs in an city setting with out inflicting horrible issues.”
Exel mentioned poverty within the area meant many individuals may afford to correctly fence properties, or have the time to adequately practice and care for his or her dogs.
The SPCA mentioned accountable pet house owners are an important think about stopping such tragedies – and that correct coaching, socialisation and management of dogs had been important to make sure the protection of the group.
Bee mentioned the elderly girl who died within the canine attack was a much-loved member of Moerewa’s group.
“A phenomenal girl with a humble caring coronary heart and it is only a actual tragedy that this has occurred.”
Far North Area Commander inspector Riki Whiu mentioned police had been making enquiries on behalf of the coroner and couldn’t but launch the lady’s identify.
By Amy Williams and Lucy Xia for rnz.co.nz
