I see nearly every week locals complaining about roaming dogs and dog on dog attacks. It time we stand up to the council and show them that it needs to change.

My husband Jono, has the only Guide Dog in Kawerau. Gregan (the Guide Dog) suffered a unprovoked dog attack late last year. Two bulldogs rushed at him and bit his legs when Jono and Gregan walked past the house. 

The owner of one of the dogs (the other dog was staying with them but was not theirs) had left the gate open while putting her children in the pick up van for kindy. 

When this was reported to the council their response was both dogs had to be registered, the visiting dog was banned from the property and the visiting dogs owner had to improve their fence. Both dogs stayed with their owners.

I don't see how a little yellow registration tag stops a dog attack?

Gregan suffered minor bite injuries, but the major issue is the mental damage. He was assessed by the Blind Foundation Dog Trainer and was found to be working at only 50% mental ability.

He was given three weeks to get back on track or he would have been retired. No longer able to work as a Guide Dog. This means he was not able to identify cars on the road, hazards on the foot path etc, all the things he normal does for Jono to make it possible to be able to go to town on his own and have his own independence. Because Gregan was focusing on where the next attack would come from. 

He has come right, this time. But we all doubt he could cope with another attack.

Now lets look at this from a different angle. It costs $28,000 to train a Guide Dog for him to be able to start working at 2 years old. For him to be retired at just 3 years old would be a tragedy in so many way. It is funded by donations only, no government funding at all. Plus the likelihood of Jono getting a second dog with out a 3 or more years wait is very low. 

Every week we hear on Facebook about dog on dog attacks, roaming dogs etc in Kawerau. sign this petition, Let the council know how its just not good enough. 

They need to tighten up on the Dog Control Bylaws. No longer make it OK, for dog to attack other dogs. It should be safe on our streets to walk our dogs without being scared for our pets and working dogs