The number of dog welfare-related complaints has spiked by 80% in Auckland over the past year as the council warns many owners are struggling to care for their pets.
Data publicised by Auckland Council today also shows a 14% rise in attacks on people, a 19% rise in attacks on other animals, and a 19% rise in roaming complaints.
The number of dogs impounded was also up by a quarter with shelters already nearly full.
A spokesperson for the council said it had a “strong” warning for Aucklanders: “If you can’t commit to caring for a dog properly, please do not get one.”
Auckland Council animal management manager Elly Waitoa said it was “clear many people are struggling to look after their dogs properly”.
Waitoa said: “What we have seen over the past year is that fewer Aucklanders are getting their dogs desexed or registered, they’re not socialising them properly and not keeping them contained to their properties.
“As a result, we’re seeing higher numbers of aggressive dogs out roaming the streets and putting the public, other animals and themselves at risk.
“Our plea to Aucklanders is that if you are thinking of getting a dog, please carefully consider whether you are ready for this responsibility. A dog can be a wonderful companion, but love alone is not enough to keep a dog happy, healthy and out of trouble.”
Euthanised shelter dogs also on the rise
There were 8306 dogs impounded across the council’s three animal shelters over the past financial year – an increase of 26%. In the same period, the rate of impounded dogs claimed by their owners within the seven-day holding period hit a 10-year low at just 43%.
“Shelter staff work hard to find homes for unclaimed dogs that pass temperament tests, but a high number of dogs coming through our shelters have behaviour issues that mean they are not safe for rehoming,” Waitoa said.
“This, combined with the sheer number of dogs going unclaimed has sadly meant more dogs have been euthanised than in previous years.”
In response to the spike in figures, Auckland Council said it was working on opening an additional shelter by early 2025. The council has also been carrying out “daily patrols around schools and other high-risk areas” and ramping up efforts to educate dog owners.
“It’s not just dog owners, but non-dog owners as well. If you see that your neighbour or whānau member is letting their dog out to roam, or they’re not supervising it around young children, call them out on it.
“If you witness a dog attacking a person or other animal, report it to the council before it happens again. It’s only when we all come together that we’re going to be able to turn this trend around.”
Dogs suffering due to ‘too many’ useless owners – rep
Manurewa-Papakura councillor Daniel Newman said his area was “ground zero” for the challenges faced by animal welfare officers. He added that dogs were suffering “because too many owners are useless and fail to ensure the welfare of their pets”.
Newman said: “My ward has the highest number of known dogs, 4413 in Papakura and 2988 in Manurewa. In excess of 6000 requests for service following issues such as roaming dogs, dog attacks, and animal welfare complaints were attributed to my ward.
“That in turn is putting enormous pressure on the council’s animal management staff, who enforce the provisions of the Dog Control Act, as well as the capacity of the Manukau Animal Shelter, which is at breaking point.”
He added: “I hate having to front these statistics, but frankly this brings into focus the consequences of people failing to be responsible owners. Auckland Council cannot and should not tolerate roaming dogs, aggressive behaviour towards people, and dog attacks.”