Key Takeaways
- A woman was attacked by four dogs on Settlement Road in Kaiwaka, resulting in injuries to her arms and legs.
- A neighbour who intervened was also attacked and suffered bite marks on his legs.
- The owner of the dogs, Stacey Walker-Haturini, was sentenced to 180 hours of community work despite the seriousness of the attack.
- Walker-Haturini’s lawyer argued that she was not responsible for releasing the dogs, and that she had taken immediate action to try to contain them when she found out they were loose.
- The victims of the attack are still recovering from their injuries, with one man suffering from ongoing ligament damage and emotional trauma.
Introduction to the Incident
The incident occurred on March 15, 2025, when four dogs owned by Stacey Walker-Haturini escaped from her property on Settlement Road in Kaiwaka. The dogs attacked a woman who was walking on her front lawn with her own two dogs, Blue and Roxy. The woman suffered injuries to her arms and legs, and was airlifted to Whangārei Hospital for treatment. When a neighbour tried to intervene, the dogs turned on him and he was also injured. The neighbour was transported to the hospital by ambulance, while the woman was flown in by helicopter.
The Aftermath of the Attack
The attack had a significant impact on the victims, with one of the men, Nathan Pilkington, suffering from several scars and an ongoing ligament injury. Pilkington stated that the attack had stopped him from doing things he normally enjoyed, such as going to the gym and practicing jiu-jitsu. He also expressed disappointment in the lack of empathy or accountability shown by the dog owners, right up until sentencing. The neighbourhood was also deeply affected, with people becoming visibly on edge when they saw unfamiliar dogs in public.
The Court Case
Stacey Walker-Haturini, the registered owner of the dogs, appeared in the Whangārei District Court for sentencing on four charges of owning a dog that caused injury. Walker-Haturini’s lawyer, Jody Garrett, argued that she was not responsible for releasing the dogs, and that she had taken immediate action to try to contain them when she found out they were loose. The court heard that Walker-Haturini was in the midst of a messy break-up, dealing with a death in the family, and a sick grandfather who was in hospital. The judge, Peter Davey, took these factors into account when delivering his sentence, stating that Walker-Haturini’s blameworthiness was reduced due to her not being at the address when the dogs were let out.
The Sentence
Walker-Haturini was sentenced to 180 hours of community work, a relatively light sentence given the seriousness of the attack. The judge noted that the attack was serious and caused serious injury, but that Walker-Haturini’s culpability was towards the bottom end of the scale. The Kaipara council lawyer, Jodi Libbey, stated that the council and one of the complainants were taking an empathetic approach to Walker-Haturini, and were in favour of a light sentence. However, Libbey also noted that further repercussions could follow, including the possibility of Walker-Haturini being disqualified as a dog owner in the future.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of responsible dog ownership and the need for owners to take immediate action to contain their dogs if they escape. The attack had a significant impact on the victims, and the sentence delivered to Walker-Haturini will likely be seen as a relatively lenient one. However, the judge’s decision to take into account Walker-Haturini’s mitigating circumstances and reduce her sentence reflects the complexities of the case and the need for a nuanced approach to justice.