Dog owner prosecuted over kiwi

The Department of Conservation has begun legal proceedings against a Coromandel dog owner after the discovery of a dead kiwi on private property adjacent to public conservation land.

David Agnew, DoC’s acting operations manager in Whitianga, said charges had been laid under the Dog Control Act after the bird’s remains were found near known kiwi habitat in July last year.

Two dogs have been linked to the death of the kiwi through DNA evidence, and their owner would appear in the Thames District Court next month.

Mr Agnew said eight kiwi were killed by dogs in the Coromandel area last year. Dogs were also a major killer of kiwi in Northland, and a Northland dog owner would appear in the Kaikohe District next month over a similar incident in July 2018.

“Dog attacks on kiwi undermine significant long-term investment and work by DoC and its stakeholders and partners to protect these important birds,” he added.

“Incidents like these can be devastating, both for the birds’ population, and also the many people who commit time and energy to kiwi protection. Kiwi deaths from dog attacks are even more tragic because they can be prevented.”

DoC was urging dog owners near kiwi habitats to keep their dogs tied up at night, when kiwi were active, and keep them on a leash in kiwi environments. Dogs could also be given kiwi aversion training, with details of courses available at all DoC offices.

Marta Lang Silveira, DoC’s national compliance manager, said the department took its compliance and legislative responsibilities seriously as it strived to protect native species, while dog owners had a key role to play in ensuring species like kiwi could survive in their natural habitats.

The department would file charges under the Dog Control Act where there was evidence that dogs had killed kiwi. The maximum penalty was a $20,000 fine or three years’ imprisonment, and an order for the dog’s destruction.

Anyone who saw roaming dog on public conservation land was urged to call 0800 DOC HOT.