Dog attack

The Star’s reporting of a dog attack in Martinborough has rather twisted the truth.  In the interests of the integrity of our Dog Control Officers I feel obliged to set the record straight.

There was indeed an attack on a person in New York street.  An elderly person riding a mobility scooter was bitten on the arm by a dog.  It continued to bite him even when hit and the dog eventually ran away when somebody called it.

The next day Council was contacted.  Our officer interviewed the person concerned and advised him not to go down New York street for the ‘time being’.  This was simply to lower the risk until we could ensure the badly-behaved dog was not still at large and a danger.  It was not meant as the final answer to  the problem.

Council officers then proceeded to investigate this attack.
A possible suspect dog was identified from our records, the owner spoken to and the dog photographed.  The owner of this particular dog was however adamant that their animal was away with a family member that day, the person attacked could not positively identify the dog that bit him and unfortunately there were no witnesses.
Council cannot take this matter any further without sufficient evidence to do so.  Council always take dog attacks very seriously and we do not hesitate to take action under the Dog Control Act  when the facts can be substantiated.  We have however increased patrols in this area and will impound dogs that are caught wandering.

Yours Sincerely
 
Adrienne Staples?

The Mayor’s allegation of ‘rather twisted the truth’ is very serious indeed. For the record: The item in question was given, as printed, to the victim of the attack for verification before it was included in the Star.