Dog reshapes Irene’s outings

Dog reshapes Irene’s outings

The day a dog ripped her arm is one that has changed Irene Mackle’s daily life.

The 87-year-old Matene Street resident relies on a mobility scooter to get around. Now, her regular outing around the block requires her to cross the road to avoid the dog, which lives in the same block.

“I have to cross the road now, which I find dangerous because a lot of drivers just don’t see a scooter coming off the footpath,” she says.

However, it’s not just her changed routine that she has had to cope with. The incident left her with a painful wound to her arm, where she says the dog bit her. Irene required medical attention, and had her arm bandaged.

There have also been other recent reports of dogs injuring people. 

In a social media post, a woman said her 80-year-old mother was sitting at the beach watching the sea when a large dog jumped on to her lap. The post showed bruising to the elderly woman’s arm.

The daughter – who didn’t want to be named – said it wasn’t the dog’s fault, but the owner just cycled away while calling the dog.

She said a friend also had a dog at the beach jump on her, knocking her to the ground.

“The owner called the dog, laughed from a distance and walked off,” the woman said. “Didn’t check to see if she was OK or apologise.”

The incident with Irene Mackle happened on March 21, out of the blue as she passed a dog being held on a lead.

She said there was some slack in the lead, allowing the dog to lunge at her and seize her arm.

“I had no warning or defence against this attack,” she says. “It was terrifying. The consequences could have been tragically worse if the victim had been a small child or baby in a pushchair.”

The young walker pulled the dog away, but Irene says he would not provide his name or proper address. However, a week later, the youngster’s father passed Irene in the street and apologised.

“But he told me I should treat the dog with more respect,” she says.

She admits she has sworn under her breath at the dog when passing the property and the dog has run to the fence barking.

The same day she received the apology, she had to go past the property again, and the young dog appeared over the top of the gate, barking at her.

“It scared me, so I’ve decided not to ride around my own block again.”

Irene rang local police to lodge a complaint. They told her – and confirmed to Ōtaki Today – that it was a council issue dealt with under animal control bylaws.

She then contacted Kāpiti Coast District Council, which said it would investigate the complaint. The council confirms that it has looked into the incident and taken enforcement action. This included an infringement being issued to the dog’s owner.

In a statement, the council said the owner had since taken steps to address the matter and reduce the risk of a similar incident occurring again. The statement did not say what those steps were, but it’s understood the dog will need to be muzzled when in public.

The dog’s owners were approached by Ōtaki Today but would not comment.

Irene says other older people tell her they no longer take walks in town for fear of dogs.

“I should be free to use the footpaths where I live without fear of attack. Ōtaki has always been a very friendly place, with people of all ages greeting each other, whether friends or strangers. It is not the time to start living in fear.

“I would make a plea to all dog owners in Ōtaki to keep them under control and disciplined.”