Penguin killed in dog attack

BY NICHOLAS BOYACK

Last updated 10:46 10/05/2011

A little blue penguin has died in Wellington Zoo after being attacked by a dog in Seaview.
The attack on Saturday morning involved a couple walking a large alsatian and a husky on Port Rd.
Witness Ann Rodgers confronted the pair and said the woman was attempting to hide the badly-injured bird under a bush. She said the man was severely reprimanding the dogs.
Mrs Rodgers contacted the SPCA, which took the penguin to the Native Bird Rescue Trust (NBRT), which in turn took it to Wellington Zoo.
Ms Rodgers, who describes herself as a dog lover, says she was disgusted by the woman's actions.
"She was clearly ashamed that her dog had done that."
She is not sure which dog grabbed the bird but says the husky was on an extendable lead.
"It was on a massively long, long lead which meant it was not under any control."
Karin Wiley from NBRT says the bird was very badly injured and had no chance of surviving the attack.
Penguins have a very strong odour that is attractive to dogs but she says if an owner has a dog under control, it should not attack a bird.
Hutt City Animal Control manager Les Dalton says he regards a dog attack on a protected species as "very serious" and people can be jailed or fined heavily.
If the couple can be identified, he says the council will interview them and take the appropriate action.
The area where the attack occurred is not known for having penguins.
However, he said he will now put up signs reminding dog owners to be careful. Long leads are becoming common in the city and he does not favour their use.
Legally an owner must have a dog under control and a long stretchy lead offers only limited control, he says.
If a dog does attack another animal, he says the owner should do the "right thing" and assist the injured animal.
He accepts that in this case, the owner was probably deeply embarrassed, but that was no excuse for leaving a bird to suffer.

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