NATALIE FINNIGAN
13/01/2012
SUPPLIED
The bird underwent two rounds of surgery to treat injuries to his abdomen
The bird underwent two rounds of surgery to treat injuries to his abdomen area after being rushed to Massey University's Wildlife Health Centre in Palmerston North following the attack last Friday.
Dr Brett Gartrell said the bird was lucky the dog grabbed mostly skin and fat rather than the abdomen, otherwise he might not have survived.
''If you can be lucky to be picked up and shaken by a dog then I guess you could say the little fella has been lucky,'' said Dr Gartrell.
''He was in good condition coming up to his moult with quite a bit of weight on. If he didn't have that fat on there would have been damage to his internal organs.''
DOC marine ranger Callum Lilley said a member of the public came across the bird and called the DOC emergency hotline.
''This attack serves as yet another reminder that people need to keep their dogs under control when they are at the beach,'' said Mr Lilley.
''All people have to do is keep their dogs on a leash or at the very least watch and control them closely. People don't like to think that their dog would attack wildlife, but to a dog, its just natural behaviour.''
Dr Gartrell said the bird has a way to go yet as its wounds are deep and infected, but they will know in a few weeks whether he is ready to be released into the wild or will need to be placed in temporary care until he is fully recovered.
Members of the public who come across injured wildlife should DOC's emergency hotline 0800 DOC HOT (36 24 68)
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