Canine owners in Palmerston have been hit with a surge of infringements in the past three months, with the recorded number of attacks and dogs at large rising sharply.

Palmerston Council’s Ranger Services Update has revealed there were 11 infringements issued for dog attacks between January and March, compared to just three in the previous quarter.  

The number of infringements issued for “dogs at large or not under effective control” more than doubled compared to the previous quarter, with 46 recorded in January to March compared to 17 in October to December.

Infringements for unregistered dogs also rose to 31 compared to 23, while the number of dogs impounded declined slightly with 164 recorded compared to 167.  

The report stated council rangers were conducting weekly random after-hours patrols to address dogs off lead and dog aggression issues in public spaces, which could have contributed to the rise in figures.

“Rangers attended after-hours calls with a total of 138 calls received between January to March 2020,” the report stated.

“These range from dog attacks to dogs at large – the most common reason for after-hours call outs – and are reflected in the increased figures.”

Palmerston Council was contacted for comment.

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