Auckland Council is cracking down on a rising number of dog attacks after more than 2000 incidents were reported last year.
The latest incident involved a dog attack on two people in Papatoetoe earlier this week.
Now, a free desexing clinic offered by the council is aiming to tackle the problem of abandoned and roaming dogs.
"We would like every dog to have a home, and we want to make sure that we can desex enough dogs to make that a reality,” lead vet Roz Holland told 1News.
Cost and transport are often a barrier for people desexing their dogs, which is why the clinic is funded by infringements from owners that fail to register their canine companions. Owners can also opt in to have their dogs picked up and dropped off.
"We operate a ‘no door is the wrong door’ policy. So, if you contact the council through the normal contact centre, your details will come through to my team. We do triage so we do help people who are in need,” Holland explained.
For Yongchao An and his family, the cost put them off de-sexing their Jack Russell terrier, Mei.
But since undergoing the free surgery, the Ans said their beloved pet had been less aggressive around other dogs.
"She's friendly and become socialised, really nice to play with other dogs," he said.
Around 15,000 roaming dogs are reported in Auckland each year. But the number continues to increase, meaning more attacks.
In the past five years, the number of dog attacks on humans and other animals reported to Auckland Council has increased by 80%.
The council's regional shelter manager Nikki Cripps said it was a "huge problem and it's just significantly increased over the years".
“The desexing clinic is just a tool to try and help. It is only the tip of the iceberg."
Animal management officers are kept busy carrying out roaming dog patrols. Dogs that are picked up are taken to shelters. But with the number of owners coming to claim them at an all-time low, the shelters are being overrun, leading to more dogs being euthanised.
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