Happy at home
If a dog calls your place home, keep it safe. Don’t let it roam.
The risks of roaming dogs
Dogs are important parts of many New Zealanders’ lives.
But roaming dogs can be a danger to themselves, people, other animals, and wildlife.
The dangers to roaming dogs
Roaming (or wandering) dogs are more likely to:
- Be hit by cars
- Be attacked by other dogs
- Ingest poison or other nasties from garages or under houses
- Be picked up by dog control officers
- Be seized or destroyed by a farmer if they are running at large amongst stock or poultry.
The dangers of roaming dogs
Roaming (or wandering) dogs can:
- Frighten, attack and even kill people, including children and the elderly
- Frighten, attack, injure and kill vulnerable wildlife like kiwi
- Attack other domestic animals like cats and dogs
- Attack farm animals such as lambs or chickens
- Cause traffic accidents if they are on the road, and people swerve to avoid them
- Cause a public nuisance by defecating where people walk and play
Why you should stop your dog from roaming
Dog owners who prevent their dog from roaming will:
- Have fewer vet bills caused by the risks associated with roaming dogs
- Sleep easier at night knowing their dog isn’t in danger
- Not have to pay fines to release their dog from the pound
- Have a better chance of hearing or seeing our precious taonga (like kiwi) in their surroundings
- Help protect wildlife like kiwi in their natural habitat
What is a roaming dog?
A roaming (or wandering) dog is any dog that’s somewhere it shouldn’t be, like:
- A pet dog that is let off-lead to run around and stretch their legs unsupervised;
- A farm dog that is sent off to round up the cows but gets distracted;
- A hunting dog that picks up the scent of a pig and runs off into the bush to follow it without its owner;
- A seemingly lazy dog that lies on the veranda all day then, unbeknownst to its owners, heads out on adventures overnight;
- A feral dog that has no home;
- A dog that technically has a home but its owner doesn’t supervise it or keep it at home;
- A cuddly fur baby that’s great with kids but gets bored during the day so jumps the fence and explores the neighbourhood.
Dog owners working together to protect kiwi
Here are some guidelines that dog owners can follow to keep kurī and kiwi safe.
- If you live or play in places where wild kiwi live, always make sure you prevent your dog from roaming. This will help to keep the dog safe too.
- Keep it tied up, in a kennel or inside at night.
- Keep it on a lead when walking in areas where kiwi and other wildlife live.
- Exercise your dog in public dog parks or designated dog-friendly locations.
- Be aware of and follow any bylaws about dogs in the areas you live and visit.
- If you see a sign that says dogs are prohibited from entering that area, obey it.
- Get your hunting or farming dog Kiwi Avoidance Trained.
- If you are travelling, do your research first. Contact the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai to find out if wild kiwi live there and if dogs are allowed.
- If you’re hunting where wild kiwi live, put tracking collars on your dogs and take all dogs home at the end of the hunt.
- If you lose your dog or see a roaming dog, report it immediately to the local council.
How to report a roaming dog
If you see a roaming dog where it shouldn’t be, contact the local council and ask to speak with the dog control department.
It’s important to give the dog control officer as much information as possible, including:
- Location
- Colour
- Breed, if known
- Direction it’s heading
- If you are close enough, if it has tags or a collar
If you can and if it’s safe enough, take a photo to help animal control identify the dog.
If you see a roaming dog, always maintain your distance and keep yourself safe at all times.
How to exercise your dog in a way that doesn’t threaten kiwi
Dogs need plenty of exercise to stay in ship-shape condition. Here are some ways dog owners can exercise their dogs in a way that doesn’t threaten kiwi and other wildlife.
- If you are in an area where kiwi may live make sure you always use a lead, and only walk your dog during the day when kiwi are asleep.
- Use identified off-lead areas or public parks.
- Use private, bookable off-lead parks. These can be particularly useful for reactive dogs.
- Good dogs always come back. Take the time to teach your dog excellent recall so that off-lead runs in appropriate places can be a pleasant experience for both of you.
- Arrange regular doggy playdates with other friendly dogs. Playing with other dogs burns loads of energy and teaches important social skills (just make sure the other dogs are friendly and well-socialised).
- Try going for a ‘sniff’ rather than a walk. Go at their pace and let them explore using their nose. Smelling the world around them fires their brain into action, which in turn uses up energy. You may like to use a different lead, or a different route so your dog learns when it is a walk, and when it’s a ‘sniff’.
- Use food as a game, like scattering small dry dog food around your lawn. This gives the dog a reason to move and gets them using their all-important scent function. Remember to factor this food into their daily intake so they aren’t over-fed. This works really well for food-oriented dogs!
- Play with your dog. If you have an active game your dog loves, like fetch, regular playtime is a great way to exercise your dog without even having to leave your property.
Dogs and kiwi can live alongside each other.
When dog owners understand how to keep kiwi and other wildlife safe, while also keeping their dogs safe, we all win.
Learn more about how kurī and kiwi can live in the same spaces.