The mayor of Kawerau denies his town is “plagued with a hideous dog problem”, despite a brutal attack on a two-year-old girl.
The toddler was mauled by what is thought to be a pitbull on Saturday when visiting family. She spent much of yesterday undergoing surgery at Whakatane Hospital and will be back in theatre today for more facial reconstruction.
Some locals say dangerous dogs are regularly roaming the streets.
But District Mayor Malcolm Cambell says it’s not as bad as the picture being painted.
“Come down, I’ll take you out at night and I’ll show you my town and if you can find a lot of wandering dogs – fine, it’ll be dealt with,” he says.
“But to say that we’re not doing anything about it, I dispute that.”
Kawerau has 1200 registered dogs – among the highest in the country.
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