Penguins mauled by dogs
Dog owners have been urged to keep their pets under control around Port Taranaki after the death of three little blue penguins.
Necropsy results from Massey University indicate two of the penguins had been attacked by a dog, and a third, the body of which was not recovered, was likely to have been mauled.
The two penguins were discovered by Port Taranaki veteran David Chadfield, owner of Chaddy’s Charters, who said he was gutted by what had happened.
‘‘When you turned them over there was a bite mark on the stomach of them,’’ he said.
Port Taranaki chief executive Guy Roper called the incidents, on January 29, disappointing.
‘‘The public areas around Port Taranaki are popular and busy and we urge people to be mindful that they are sharing these areas with wildlife, including little blue penguins who nest nearby,’’ Roper said in a written statement.
‘‘We ask the public to ensure that dogs are under control at all times, preferably on a leash,’’ he said.
A Department of Conservation (DOC) spokesperson said there had been 42 reported dog attacks on penguins in the Taranaki region since 2007.
‘‘Generally, the owners of dogs that have killed penguins do not report deaths,’’ the spokesperson said. ‘‘Dead or injured penguins are more likely to be found by other people.
‘‘The majority have been reported in New Plymouth between Back Beach and Waiwhakaiho, the more populated areas.’’
Advice from DOC was for owners to keep their dogs on leads and away from vegetation, dunes, rocks and caves where penguins are likely to shelter. If a dog does attack a penguin DOC needs to be notified straight away to provide medical treatment.
The penguins are protected under the Wildlife Act. Dog owners can be prosecuted if their pet hunt or kills the penguin and the charge carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine.