Malcolm Rands: Dog control and kiwis

We are having a fabulous summer and where I live on the Tutukaka Coast of Northland we get lots of wonderful visitors from all over NZ. And their dogs.  
Now, we are dog owners and at our eco village we actually have kiwi roaming between the houses at night. Quite noisy actually, always calling for each other. 
There is a ‘no uncontrolled dog’ policy at the village so it was with quite a lot of trepidation that we finally got a puppy two years ago. We were still four days a week in Auckland and our daughter was a co-carer. 
So, we put plenty of training into her, she only stays on our section inside the village, she is on a lead walking outside our section and never outside after dark. It seems to be working well. 
Because I hate to say dog lovers, the main reason Kiwi are still declining in most parts of NZ is attack by dogs. Habitat destruction was a big one. Then Mustelids, ferrets, stoats, weasels and wild cats can kill 80% of kiwi chicks but once they are six months old they can defend themselves, but never against dogs. 
Kiwi are very smart, have strong legs and claws. They live a long time and can have more than one egg a year. The terrible 80% kill still means that kiwi could prosper if we keep dogs away 
Dogs can’t resist the smell of kiwi and because kiwis are flightless, they have very weak chest bones and a dog picking them up, will break their chest and they die. And even your little poodle cross can do this damage. The poodle is actually a bird dog. 
And once they are in a pack, yes just two dogs, look out as their behaviour can change radically 
It’s in their nature, you think you are taking your dog for a walk, they think they are out on a hunt. 
Conservation workers, who are often avid dog owners themselves have come up, with some rules for when you leave the city and are at a beach or the bush 
Know what dogs are doing at all times. A kiwi safe dog will be in your sight at all times and will always come straight away when called, no matter what the distraction. Now this isn’t that common for most dogs I’m afraid but you can always follow these guidelines from the Kiwi Coast organisation. 

Never let dogs roam uncontrolled. Unless you are in a secure fenced off dog section
When out and about, keep dogs on a lead at all times. Kiwi shelter in unusual places, and can be caught and killed in seconds.
Use a short non-retractable lead when walking dogs. Kiwi have been killed on roadsides by dogs walked with retractable leads.
Please take special care at night. Keep dogs confined and accompany them on a lead if they need to go outside.
Consider using a muzzle - they are easy to use and effective

The good news is that here on the Eastern Cost of Northland kiwi are off the endangered list, and are in fact expanding so that the current challenge is making special wildlife corridors to join up the different areas 
You are welcome to visit us, just control your dog. 
LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.