Media release: Stronger dog control laws needed to reduce attacks and injuries in Aotearoa New Zealand

Dog-related injuries are common and increasing in Aotearoa New Zealand, including over 29,000 ACC claims and more than 1000 hospitalisations in the last year. The latest Briefing from the Public Health Communication Centre examines the evidence and outlines law changes that could reduce this preventable injury burden.

Researchers say specific amendments to the Dog Control Act 1996 are needed to strengthen prevention, improve reporting of incidents and enable faster responses to high-risk situations.

Lead author, emergency specialist and researcher Dr Natasha Duncan-Sutherland says the scale of injuries highlights the need for stronger prevention.

“Dog-related injuries affect tens of thousands of people each year in New Zealand and the problem is increasing,” she says. “Many of these injuries are preventable with stronger laws and better systems to identify and manage risk.”

Nearly half of the recorded injuries involve dog bites, while others include non-bite injuries such as head-trauma or fractures. Children are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries requiring hospitalisation, which are more likely to involve the head and face.

The researchers recommend mandatory sterilisation of dogs, mandatory notification of dog-related injuries by health professionals and veterinarians and stronger powers for Animal Management Officers to intervene after attacks or roaming incidents.

“Prevention requires a public health approach that focuses on systems and legislation, not just individual behaviour,” Dr Duncan-Sutherland says.

The Briefing also highlights the need for equitable resourcing of animal management services and partnership with Māori and iwi-led initiatives to support effective and locally led prevention.