Thames-Coromandel has recorded a drop in dog-related incidents, with the number of requests for service and infringement notices both falling over the past year.
By Jordan Smith of Local Democracy Reporting
The figures are contained in the Thames-Coromandel District Council's annual dog control report and come as dog-related incidents have again been in the spotlight following a high-profile attack in Tairua.
Two dogs that severely injured a woman in 2024 were ordered to be euthanised following a council prosecution and a failed High Court appeal.
According to council staff, the district recorded a 19% decrease in dog-related requests for service and a 41% decrease in total infringement notices.
There were also fewer reports of dogs attacking other animals and people.
Other notable figures included a drop in registration failures from 114 to 58, while microchipping infringements fell by 45%.
The reduction in dog-related incidents also contributed to a decrease in ACC-related costs.
Council’s group manager regulatory and planning, Brian Taylor, said while the drop was encouraging the 1000+ requests for service meant there was more work to do.
Taylor had previously pointed to the Tairua attack as an example of the consequences of poor dog control, warning it could have "extremely serious" consequences.
He told Local Democracy Reporting while council's response has historically been educational, it cannot afford to be complacent with safety.
"People are increasingly concerned about dog safety, so owners who disregard the rules, particularly where those rules have been clearly explained, should expect a firmer response," he said.
"For significant offending, such as serious dog attacks, we do take prosecutions and that can mean a conviction and court-imposed penalties.
"Repeat offending can also result in a person being disqualified from owning dogs."
ACC data provided to LDR revealed dog-bite related costs plummeted from $113,136 in 2024 to $68,262 in 2025. As of mid August, the cost this year is currently $30,992.
Both new and active claims rose in 2025 compared to 2024, going from 96 and 110 to 119 and 134 respectively.
ACC's data "appears broadly consistent with the improvement we have seen" according to Taylor, specifically referring to reported dog attacks.
The seasonal spike in incidents was also evident, with nearly 40% of all dog-bite injuries recorded in 2024 occurring during summer. That figure fell to 30% in 2025.
"We've had some public sentiment provided to us relating to dogs on beaches during the summer," Taylor said.
"We want our local residents to lead the way on good dog compliance coming into the summer period where we have a lot of out-of-towners coming in where their rules at home may be slightly different," Taylor said.
A strong emphasis of that comes through council’s "Lead the Way" campaign — a six week programme targeted at locals promoting responsible dog ownership over summer when the district’s population swells.
Taylor says a key focus for council this summer will be ensuring dogs are "generally under control" in public places, specifically educating owners about what that looks like in practice.
"In public spaces, dogs are generally required to be on a lead, and in off-lead exercise areas and beaches, owners must ensure their dog remains within immediate proximity and can be recalled on command."
"Owners may know their dog is friendly, but other people do not, and not everyone is comfortable around dogs. Everyone should be able to enjoy our beaches, reserves and other public spaces without unwanted interactions from dogs."
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
SHARE ME