It’s hard to imagine your delightful pup being anything other than a loveable furball. But on the frontlines of New Zealand’s conservation efforts, the devastation of free-roaming pets is seen every day in the hundreds of native birds injured, maimed or worse.

These casualties make a case for more responsible pet parenting, as encouraged by the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) Lead the Way programme and its Auckland partner PD Insurance. Everyone with a dog or cat should be aware of the risk animals pose to birdlife.

On the frontline is BirdCare Aotearoa, a charity dedicated to providing care and rehabilitation for sick, injured, and orphaned wild birds. General Manager Dr. Lynn Miller reveals that many patients coming through the bird hospital are there because of dog attacks.

“It’s heartbreaking and worse, with dog bites tending to have more severe consequences; from injuring the birds to where they can’t be released back into the wild, to death often being the only outcome. We can only save around 2% of all patients coming in from dog attacks. Most are so badly damaged that the only help we can provide is a humane end,” she says.

Dogs are dangerous to birds

The damage caused by dogs is so severe that it moves Dr. Miller to tears, yet this is a reality she faces every day.

“Birds have similar neural pathways to people, so when a dog attacks them, they would feel the same pain, such as what you would feel if attacked by a tiger. We see the most horrific things. Penguins with flippers ripped off, ducks with dislocated pelvises, crushing wounds, bite marks and much more,” she explains.

“These animals are going through hell, and especially in coastal areas where there are dog restrictions, many of the patients we see shouldn’t need to be here at all.”

Most New Zealand beaches have some restrictions or requirements for responsible pet management, including ‘dogs on leashes’ areas, or restricting dogs from coastline areas favoured by birds, including breeding grounds.

It is for these reasons that DOC, with the support of pet insurance specialist PD Insurance, recently launched its Lead the Way Auckland programme. It encourages dog owners to become ‘Wildlife Wise’ to help protect vulnerable native animals.

Lead the Way to save wildlife lives

Dr. Miller says she is enormously supportive of the Lead the Way initiative helping dog owners become more aware of the sensitivities of bird and other life encountered across New Zealand’s coastlines. It also helps raise awareness of how easily a well-meaning, playful and curious dog can unintentionally harm wildlife, and of the risks dogs face on the coast too.

PD Insurance Chief Operating Officer, Michelle le Long, says, “it doesn’t take much to become Wildlife Wise. Simply fill out a short quiz, purchase a coloured Lead the Way lead and follow a few basic precautions and measures. This will show your commitment to protecting native wildlife, your dog and others sharing the beach.”

The colour-coded Lead the Way leads indicate a dog’s temperament, so passers-by know what to expect from the pet – Green for friendly, Orange for sometimes not OK with other canines or people, and Red for keep your distance. A Yellow leash indicates a dog that’s disabled, in training or vulnerable in some other way.

Being Wildlife Wise requires a few basic steps:

• Be aware: Check out the Lead the Way website and take the quiz so you understand what to do at the beach with your dog. https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/lead-the-way/
• Know before you go: Jump online at doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/know-before-you-go/dog-access/ and on your local council’s website for the dog rules at your destination (e.g. www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/dogs-animals/where-walk-dog).
• Show your commitment: Consider buying an exclusive Lead the Way lead, which you can access after doing the Wildlife Wise quiz. Look out for other dogs with coloured leads and respect their temperaments.
• Train the fundamentals: Managing your dog requires training. It doesn’t have to be intense; basic training teaches them to ‘LEAVE IT’ and ‘COME’. Recalling your dog is essential if hitting the beach. Need help? Contact Companion Animals New Zealand and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers New Zealand for a list of trainers.
• Lead the Way: Always carry a lead, even if you think your dog doesn’t need one. It’s a legal requirement and may be handy if managing your dog becomes difficult.
• Watch out: For dangers and distractions, including other dogs, birds, sleeping seals and any signs of wildlife. Toxic objects include washed-up puffer fish, sea slugs, algae and blue bottles.
• Spread the word: Encourage others to Lead the Way and become Wildlife Wise. Also warn others when there’s wildlife around.

Be part of the solution, not the problem

DOC Science Adviser Dr. Laura Boren says databases recording interactions between dogs and wildlife show the scale of the problem.

She says, “of the 273 dog-related incidents last year, 240 resulted from people taking dogs where they weren’t allowed. Unfortunately, 30 were cases of harassment, attack, or injury of wildlife, and seven resulted in a fatality.”

Uncontrolled dogs on beaches are a big problem. Dr. Miller says nearly 500 cases handed to BirdCare Aotearoa (based in Green Bay) since 2018 were from dog attacks.

“It is also noteworthy that these numbers are only from our area; imagine the numbers for the wider Auckland region or the country.”

“Your dog, in effect, is your family member. You should treat them like such and prevent them from doing things you wouldn’t allow a child to do,” she stresses. “Keep them safe, and keep our native birdlife safe, too.”

Finally, Le Long says it’s easy to be a part of the solution rather than the problem: “Take time to Lead the Way; being Wildlife Wise doesn’t take much effort for any responsible pet parent. Do your bit so your pets are part of a harmonious New Zealand for all.”

Media contact 

Leandri Smith – The Mail Room 
027 365 9003 | [email protected]