Stray dogs in Rarotonga are being shot by police after dozens of complaints regarding attacks on livestock and people.
There have been at least 23 complaints over the last two months - including six people who were bitten by stray dogs.
Police are struggling to manage a growing dog population where roaming, unregistered dogs are menacing people, including tourists.
Eight to 10 percent of visitors to the Cook Islands will often make complaints about stray dogs. Photo: RNZ/ Daniela Maoate-Cox
Cook Islands Senior Sergeant Nga Pouao said that the stray dog population is growing and action must be taken. Pouao said the Rarotongan SPCA was aware of the police shooting and then burying the strays.
SPCA Welfare Officer Mata Nooroa said although they were working with police and the government to address the issue - there are no simple solutions.
"We definitely don't agree with the way the police are handling the situation. We have voiced our concerns to the police and the wider community. It is very hard for us because we don't have the sort of resources to step in and take on all the dogs that are out there whether they are stray or wondering," Nooroa said.
The SPCA is pushing for a law change that will stop police from using guns to kill stray dogs. Rather, they want the nation to step up and collectively tackle a rising dog population.
Nooroa said it was up to owners to de-sex their dogs.
"It is not just a police, SPCA, or government problem. It is a nation as a whole... needs to come together. We are getting tired of people pinpointing who is responsible for all of the dog problems but the nation needs to sort it out," he said.
