The surge in pet adoptions that took place during the COVID-19 lockdowns has exposed a grim reality in its wake. A scarcity of veterinary services during the pandemic, coupled with the challenges of socializing animals, has given rise to dire consequences.
In the heart of Mānagere, during a seemingly idyllic school holiday, a tan pitbull roams the streets with an air of undisputed authority. Children play nearby, oblivious to the potential threat. Unrestrained and territorial, the dog continually asserts her dominance, venturing to challenge neighbors and even pursuing shrieking youngsters on bikes near the local school.
Responding to the urgent call from a concerned passerby, animal management officer Zara*, armed with a background in canine handling and animal behavior, steps in. She notes that while it is fortunate that the wandering pitbull has not yet attacked anyone, all dogs possess unpredictable tendencies rooted in their habits and territorial instincts. Pitbulls, in particular, are classified as a menacing breed. Zara emphasizes, “A roaming dog can quickly turn into a dog attack, so we try to address roaming and aggressive behaviors proactively.”
Recent times have witnessed a concerning proliferation of roaming dogs in Auckland, coinciding with a surge in dog attacks. Reports indicate an alarming increase, with over 250 attacks on individuals reported in the past year alone. Shelters now grapple with an overflow of unregistered, unclaimed, and unsterilized dogs, a tangible representation of the staggering 33,000+ Animal Control callouts registered last year. These challenges underscore the ongoing efforts to maintain the safety of streets, parks, and beaches for the community.
Returning to Māngere, the pitbull retreats into a nearby residence, prompting Zara to conduct an investigation. She activates the body camera affixed to her slash-proof vest and extends her “bite stick” as a precaution. Given the remote location of the house and reports of an unfriendly owner, she requests backup through her RT. Regrettably, it is not only dogs that pose potential threats; human aggression towards officers is also on the rise.
The owner of Penny the pitbull, albeit displeased to see Animal Control at his doorstep, cooperates and consents to on-the-spot microchipping and registration. This enables future tracking during callouts. In this particular instance, Zara permits Penny to remain with her owner. However, had there been an attack, an uncooperative owner, or signs of non-compliance, Zara would have resorted to using her catch-pole to safely capture and impound the roaming dog.
The Manukau Animal Shelter resonates with the cacophony of barks and yelps, audible even from the carpark. Electric fences and vigilant overnight security personnel serve as deterrents for any prospective escapees. Inside, a dedicated team of no-nonsense, dog-loving women grapple with the constant challenge of managing an often-overburdened facility, compounded by understaffing. Senior shelter officer Izy, herself the proud owner of two shelter dogs, attests to the dramatic increase in stray dogs arriving at the shelter over her four-year tenure. She notes, “There’s a lot of dogs. The work has tripled. We love what we do, but it’s hard.”
