Summary:
Dogs impounded after attacks
Bull breeds made up up to about 56% of dogs impounded after attacks (389 of "more than 700"): pit bull terriers about 23%,
Staffordshire bull terriers about 21%,
American Staffordshire terriers about 12%
Roaming Dogs
Bull breeds were about 72% of the top four breeds picked up for roaming (1,989 of 2,749): Staffordshire bull terriers 1,203 (about 44%) and pit bull terriers 786 (about 29%), ahead of Shar Peis 382 and Labradors 378.
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Dog attacks across Auckland have fallen for the first time in six years, but the number of children being mauled continues to rise.
The latest council figures reveal nearly 300 dogs were put down after attacks or rushing incidents, while thousands of owners were fined for failing to control their pets.
Auckland Council’s Animal Management Annual Report shows 246 children aged 15 and under were attacked by dogs during the 2025/26 financial year, up nearly 8% on the previous year.
Regulatory and Safety Committee chairwoman Josephine Bartley said the figures represented real harm to Auckland families.
“Behind those numbers are some horrific injuries, many of them on children that will leave lifelong scars.”
She said animal management officers faced an uphill battle unless more owners took responsibility for their dogs.
Dog attacks fall for first time in six years
The rise in attacks on children comes despite improvement across the city, with reported dog attacks falling for the first time since 2019/20.
Council officers investigated 2722 attacks, down 5% from the previous year.
Of those, 1222 involved people and 1500 involved other animals.
Attacks on adults fell by more than 12%, while those involving children increased.
The report also said 255 dogs were put down after attacks, compared with 290.
Another 35 were euthanised after rushing at people or animals.
More than 700 dogs were seized and taken to council shelters after attacks, while officers responded to nearly 3500 reports of aggressive behaviour, a 10% drop on the previous year.
Pit bull terriers were the most commonly impounded breed after attacks, with 161 taken to shelters.
The number of Staffordshire bull terriers impounded after attacks rose from 105 to 146, while American Staffordshire terriers increased from 46 to 82.
Henderson-Massey overtook Manurewa as the Auckland local board area with the most reported dog attacks, recording 297 incidents over the year.
That was an 18% increase from the year before, when 251 were reported in the area.
Meanwhile, the number in Manurewa dropped from 308 to 268 attacks.
Recent Herald reporting revealed a Mt Albert mother was considering moving her family after three frightening dog encounters in less than a month, including one that left her teenage son with puncture wounds.
In another incident, 83-year-old Mike Smith was left with deep bites and scratches after being attacked by two dogs tethered to a chair while walking in Huapai, West Auckland.
Smith, who faced a long recovery, said he felt “lucky to be alive” after the attack.
The report also revealed a significant reduction in complaints about roaming dogs, with Auckland Council receiving 12,592 reports, down nearly 25% from 16,739 the previous year.
Requests for officers to collect stray dogs that members of the public had caught or contained also dropped from 5223 to 4090.
Reports of roaming dogs and requests to collect strays made up more than 60% of all calls for help received by the council’s animal management team.
The number of dogs taken to shelters after being found on private property without permission increased from 97 to 109.
Staffordshire bull terriers were the most common breed picked up for roaming, with 1203 dogs, down from 1767 a year earlier.
Pit bull terriers followed with 786, down from 1288, while Shar Peis accounted for 382 and Labrador retrievers 378.
The council also responded to 537 reports of wandering farm animals on public roads and motorways, down from 710 the previous year.
Meanwhile, thousands more fines were issued to dog owners who failed to keep their animals under control.
Fines for failing to control a dog jumped nearly 69%, from 2064 to 3486.
Another 967 fines were issued to owners who failed to keep their dogs properly secured or contained, more than double the 373 issued the year prior.