Mauling victim killed in crash
A former Lower Hutt councillor who was famously mauled by a dog in Naenae has died in a car crash.
In 2001, Scott Dalziell was attacked by a bull mastiff-cross named Bruno while campaigning. He suffered a serious hand injury and Bruno’s owner, John James Short, was fined $500 and ordered to pay medical costs. Angry that Bruno was not destroyed, Dalziell used his experience to lobby for tougher rules on dogs. Dalziell, a committed environmentalist who retired to the Far North and helped set up an eco-village, died near Wellsford on July 11.
The 83-year-old was on his way back from a community meeting to set up a drop-in centre. His partner, Helen Marsh, was injured in the crash.
Close friend and former Lower Hutt councillor Peter Glensor spoke at Dalziell’s memorial service on July 21, which was also attended by Hutt South MP Trevor Mallard. Glensor described Dalziell as a committed socialist with a strong social conscience.
A former school counsellor and Presbyterian minister, he rose to prominence serving three terms as an Eastern ward councillor before standing, unsuccessfully, for the mayoralty in 2004.
Glensor and Dalziell were part of a left-leaning group that battled to get a voice on Hutt City Council in the late 1990s. At the time, Dalziell strongly opposed the sale of council-owned rental properties, arguing the council had a responsibility to the socially disadvantaged.
He was also prominent when the city council tried to sell land in the Belmont Regional Park for housing.
Glensor said their time together on the council was tough, as they were the only two left-leaning councillors. ‘‘It was always two votes to 10.’’
Dalziell, however, made impression on him.
‘‘There was never one moment of doubt about where he stood on an issue. He was always driven by what he believed was just, right and fair.’’
Although Dalziell held strong beliefs, Glensor noted he was very personable and got on well with everybody.
‘‘What struck me is that people who did not agree with Scott’s politics were always very appreciative of him as a person.’’ a lasting