Missing dogs show up in Kaweka park
Two dogs missing in the Kaweka Forest Park have been found, says Department of Conservation (DOC) Ahuriri-Napier acting operations manager Moana Smith-Dunlop.
The dogs were discovered alive and well after spending 25 days loose on public conservation land and were taken to Hastings animal control.
The animals went missing from Little’s Clearing carpark off Kaweka Road on July 1, and the owner spent considerable time and energy unsuccessfully looking for the animals.
Moana says DOC launched an operation to recover the dogs because there was concern for the kiwi population in the area.
“A ground search was sparked after two sets of tracks we believed belonged to the dogs were found on July 13 and again on July 20.
“This search saw DOC staff and kiwi volunteers hike into the Kaweka Forest Park to look for the animals, but they also had no luck initially,” she says.
Moana says as a part of this operation, staff borrowed several live capture traps in case of any sightings.
“But these were not deployed as the dogs were found by a member of the public on Castle Range road last week.
“To date extensive checks of the monitored kiwi in the area had revealed no deaths or harm,” Moana says.
DOC is grateful to all members of the public who helped search for the dogs and provided information which assisted with their recovery.
DOC is now working with the owner of the dogs to resolve any outstanding issues and is asking people to be aware of the rules and regulations surrounding dogs on public conservation land.
There are different types of access for dogs on public conservation land — from open dog areas to controlled areas where dogs are not allowed.
Dog owners should check with the local DOC office before they head out.
“Dog owners who take their dogs into ‘no access’ areas, controlled areas without a permit, or breach the conditions of their permit are liable to prosecution.
“A dog may be seized and impounded or destroyed if it is found in a national park or controlled dog area without a permit,” Moana says.