Peti Waaka was attacked by four dogs in 2023. Photo: SUPPLIED
Warning: This story contains images some people might find graphic
Rotorua Lakes Council is proposing collecting dog DNA to help it accurately identify dogs involved in attacks.
The council has already used dog DNA once with excellent results and council director of community safety and regulatory services Mihikore Owen said regular use of DNA would provide the high level of evidence needed for prosecutions.
Council is currently consulting on changes to its dog policy and dog control bylaw to allow DNA sampling from impounded dogs.
Last year, Rotorua resident Peti Waaka was walking on Koutu Road when she was "bailed up by a pack of four growling menacing" dogs.
Four dogs rushed out, forcing her into the middle of the road.
"It felt like the whole street went suddenly silent except for the dogs and I thought 'what am I meant to do and where is the dog owner?'
Injuries to Peti Waaka's calf muscle. Photo: SUPPLIED
"The dogs acted like a pack, with an alpha dog and the rest rushing at me. They knew what they were doing. One attacked me from the back, biting my calf and buttock and the others went for my arms.
"If they got me down I felt like I would have been eaten alive. What if I was a child, it's just not okay. I was in survival mode. I tried to remain calm and lashed out at the dogs, shouting at them," Waaka said.
This caused the dogs to break off their attack and return to the property they came from.
Despite having visual descriptions of the dogs, she could not confidently identify them so Rotorua Lakes Council Animal Control staff used the clothes worn by Waaka during the attack for DNA testing purposes resulting in confirmation of the three dogs who attacked her.
Owen said without using DNA, council would not have had enough evidence to prosecute. In this particular case, DNA provided identification certainty.
"Without the DNA, there's doubt. We have to meet standards for it to reach court and a lot of people find it hard identifying the attacking dogs or dogs," Owen said.
Identifying the offending dog is even harder in rural areas.
"For a dog attack, for example on sheep, no one is going to witness that, the farmer is going to come and see the aftermath in the morning," she said.
Council can investigate but it was the DNA evidence which would enable identification of the offending animal.
"DNA is a huge investigative tool which will bring us positive outcomes," Owen said.
For this reason, Owen urged people to keep evidence after an attack.
"Because of Ms Waaka's insight to retain and preserve her clothing after the attack, this enabled Animal Control to be innovative by exploring DNA as a new investigative tool for animal attacks.
"The outcome of [that] case was ideal. Having solid DNA evidence resulted in our team being able to remove the risk of dangerous dogs, secure an appropriate result through the court and Ms Waka feeling like she has stood up for the community."
Owen pointed out that DNA evidence would not only help identify offending dogs, but also clear dogs from suspicion.
"This is key about DNA, it's not just about proving but also disproving a dog's involvement. We have recently had an example of that where we have disproved two dogs from a sheep attack," Owen said.
Consultation is now open on the council's Dog Policy and Dog Control Bylaw and members of the community are encouraged to have their say over the next four weeks.
