Dog attack on ex-Shortland St star: 'Next time it's going to be a child'
An unprovoked dog attack on an Auckland mother of two has prompted another Pt Chevalier resident to speak out about repeated problems with dog owners flouting council bylaws on the beach.
Former Shortland Street star Kirstie O'Sullivan was walking on Pt Chevalier beach last Sunday when a large unleashed dog charged at her from 50m away and bit her.
She was left with a 13cm puncture wound to her leg and right buttock.
Although the owner gave his name as Brian Byrne and his dog's name as Ronaldo, their details could not be found by Auckland Council.
O'Sullivan said today that since her story was published, a few people had come forward saying that had seen the dog and its owner before, but they remain unidentified.
The voice coach earlier described the attack as "the most terrifying experience of my life to date" and said she was concerned her children might also have been hurt, as they usually would have accompanied her on the beach.
News of the attack has prompted another Pt Chevalier resident to speak out about her ongoing concerns with unleashed dogs on the beach.
The grandmother of two, who does not wish to be named, said she had been a resident of the suburb for 23 years, and had often observed "antisocial behaviour from dogs and dog owners" on the beach.
She said it was common for council bylaws regarding dogs on the beach to be disregarded, as "dog rangers are never really down there".
After hearing about the attack on O'Sullivan, she said she was "a little bit frightened that next time it's going to be a child".
"It's a really popular beach and I think it's unfair that you can't let your own child have a run on the beach and not worry about if someone's dog is going to come up and attack them."
The Albert-Eden Local Board has recently called for residents' views about current dog access rules for local beaches and parks between Pt Chevalier and Waterview.
"We want to hear from both dog owners and non-dog owners to achieve the appropriate balance of access for dogs on our local beaches and parks," local board chair Peter Haynes said.
Submissions closed on March 22. If the local board decides to propose any changes, they would be consulted on in July.
Despite having not yet found the errant dog's owner, O'Sullivan said she was "really grateful" for the support she had received, particularly from Auckland Council's animal control department.
She said she had also received a lot of support from dog owners, who she said were "very upset that a dog owner would be so irresponsible".
Auckland Council's manager of animal management, Tracey Moore said that there was an ongoing investigation to find the dog that attacked O'Sullivan.
"This is a nasty attack and we are making every effort to find the dog and owner responsible".
Moore said that officers had been proactively patrolling Pt Chevalier beach since November and there had been seven bylaw breaches there over that time.
Anyone with information about Kirstie O'Sullivan's attack, or any other dog attack in Auckland, can call Auckland Council on 09 301 0101.