Call to control dogs to protect native wildlife

Date:  13 December 2018

Little blue penguin
Image: Paddy Ryan | DOC

DOC is reminding dog owners to control their dogs on beaches after a little blue penguin/kororā was killed by two dogs on Kaiteriteri beach in Nelson Tasman.

The Tasman District Council last month fined the dogs’ owner in total $400 on two counts of breaching the Dog Control Act 1996 by failing to keep a dog under control. The dogs had broken out of their compound and were roaming on their own when they attacked the little blue penguin.

The dogs were also classified as ‘menacing dogs’ under the Dog Control Act 1996 which requires them to be muzzled in any public place.

DOC Motueka Operations Manager Mark Townsend said keeping dogs under control enables dogs and native wildlife to safely share beaches.

“Little blue penguins and seals/kekeno on the Tasman coastline are at risk of being attacked by dogs. To keep penguins and seals safe, dogs should be on a lead or trained to come back quickly when called.

“To avoid disturbing or harassing our native wildlife, people should keep themselves and their dogs at least 20 metres away. If taking a photo of wildlife, people should zoom the camera rather than move in close.

“People should keep well back from fur seals and leopard seals for their own safety. Seals are wild animals and can defend themselves if they feel threatened. They can move surprisingly quickly and can inflict serious injuries to people and dogs.”

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