A Tasman man has been fined and his dogs ordered to be destroyed following a prolonged attack on a kekeno/fur seal near Motueka last year.
Sebastian Marinkovich was walking his two dogs – a retriever/Labrador cross and a German shepherd/Siberian husky cross – on Kina Beach, a designated dog exercise area, on the afternoon of September 7, 2024.
During the walk, the off-lead dogs spotted a kekeno/fur seal and ran off uncontrolled, attacking the animal.
The seal sustained injuries to its neck and head during the 30-minute attack, despite the owner being nearby.
Police were called after a member of the public saw the incident taking place.
Marinkovich told officers the animal was badly injured by the time he arrived and he thought it was more humane to let the dogs continue their attack to end the seal’s suffering sooner, the Department of Conservation said.
The case was transferred to DOC, who prosecuted Marinkovich under the Dog Control Act.
This afternoon, the dog owner was sentenced in the Nelson District Court to a $2000 fine. The dogs were also ordered to be destroyed.
Five years: 75 dog attacks on seals, sea lions
DOC biodiversity ranger Dirk de Vries said it was unacceptable for someone to allow their dogs to attack protected native wildlife.
"This case is especially confronting because of how long the attack went on for, and the fact the owner made a decision not to intervene and allowed the dogs to continue," de Vries said.
"We know no dog owner wants their pet to attack kekeno or other native wildlife, but it’s the owner’s responsibility to keep their dog under control, even in unleashed dog exercise areas."
De Vries said dog owners at the beach or out in nature should keep their dogs under control, stay alert and watch for wildlife. If there is wildlife in the area, the dog should be put on a lead.
"If your dog does attack wildlife, you need to step in and get your dog away from the wildlife immediately, and then call DOC on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468)."
Between September 9, 2020 and August 12, 2025, DOC recorded 75 incidents of dogs attacking, killing or harassing seals or sea lions.
He said dogs – regardless of their size or temperament – can attack protected wildlife.
"It’s not just untrained or aggressive dogs," de Vries said.
Under the Dog Control Act, it is a serious offence to own a dog which attacks protected wildlife. The maximum penalty for owning a dog that attacks and kills protected wildlife is three years in prison, or a $20,000 fine. The Act also says the dog will be destroyed.
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