A man and his horse fled into the sea to escape a sustained attack by two dogs on Pāpāmoa Beach earlier this week, leaving the horse seriously injured and prompting calls for stricter dog laws on beaches.
The attack occurred on Tuesday at around 1.30pm when Taiatini Nelson was riding along the Bay of Plenty beach on his horse Hero — something his wife Aimee said he did regularly.
"He grew up on a farm around Rotorua, so he's been around horses his whole life. It's his absolute passion, and he loves sharing his knowledge and experience with young and old," she told 1News.
Taiatini was on the beach trek with a friend who was learning to ride when two off-leash dogs approached them and became aggressive.
"Once the dog got closer, it started barking and ran at [the horses and riders]," Aimee said.
"It came back around behind the horse and started jumping up to try and bite its back legs."
At the time, the friend was on only her second ride, so Taiatini instructed her to head for the dunes while he tried to lead the dogs away, Aimee said.
"He was trying to protect her. If he hadn’t, this situation could have ended with both of them seriously injured or worse."
She said the dogs chased her husband for up to half an hour as he tried to get away, eventually riding into the sea in an effort to slow them down.
"My husband and the horse went under the water. With two dogs and a horse in fight-or-flight mode, it’s a miracle they’re both alive."
The situation was only brought under control when three bystanders, a man and two girls, managed to get the dogs off the horse and hold them down.
Aimee alleged that the dog's owners did not step in during the attack.
Hero, described as well-known in the community and used for children's rides, was seriously injured, with gashes and lacerations requiring immediate veterinary treatment.
A Givealittle page, set up by the friend who was learning to ride to help cover veterinary costs for Hero, had already raised more than $2000 in a day.
"Hero's going to need months of ongoing care, and we don't even know the extent of his injuries yet until the swelling goes down. He could be permanently damaged from it," Aimee said.
Beyond the physical injuries, she added that the incident had taken an emotional toll on her and the family.
“It’s the mental side of it — thinking about what could have happened. If our children had been there, what would have happened then?"
A Tauranga City Council spokesperson said an animal services officers attended the scene and two dogs were seized pending an investigation.
"Our thoughts are with those affected by the recent dog attack. We know incidents like this are upsetting and can impact how safe people feel in their community."
The spokesperson said the two dogs were currently being held at the pound and the owner was assisting Animal Services with enquiries.
"It is still early in the investigation. At this stage, no decisions have been made, however enforcement or prosecution under the Dog Control Act 1996 has not been ruled out."
The spokesperson added that, under the Dog Control Act, dogs must be controlled at all times, and owners could be held criminally responsible for their actions.
“If you’re unsure, please keep your dog on a leash and seek advice from a qualified dog trainer or behaviourist.”
Aimee also said she wanted stronger rules around dogs in public places, including requiring dogs to be leashed or muzzled in busy areas such as beaches.
“There has to be more control. When is enough enough?”
In March, the Government ordered a review into New Zealand's dog laws, which had been widely criticised as out of date by multiple councils and animal welfare organisations.
Local Government Minister Simon Watts said work had begun on non-legislative reforms to support councils in acting faster.
"This work is the first phase of the legislative reform, enabling officials to build a picture of dog control issues and gaps in legislation. It will form the base for scoping the comprehensive review of the Dog Control Act," he told 1News in a statement.
He said he had been pleased with the level of engagement and interest from councils and the wider sector.
The council spokesperson asked that anyone who witnessed the Pāpāmoa Beach incident or had information that may help the investigation to contact Tauranga City Council on 07 577 7000.
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