A dead penguin found dumped in a rubbish bin behind a Port Chalmers restaurant was killed by a dog, the Department of Conservation has confirmed.
Doc has asked for the dog’s owner, or anyone with information about the incident, to come forward.
The little blue penguin (kororā) was discovered by staff of Futomaki Port Chalmers last week.
Doc Coastal Otago senior ranger Shay van der Hurk said it was disappointing these preventable incidents kept happening.
"When we collected the penguin, there were bite marks which looked like they had come from a dog.
"We had the penguin necropsied which confirmed bite wounds, fractures and internal injuries caused by a dog."
The incident highlighted the importance of keeping dogs on a leash when native species such as penguins were around.
He said penguins deaths were preventable if members of the community took steps such as keeping dogs under control at all times and giving wildlife the space it needs.
"People need to be aware that any dog, regardless of breed or temperament, is capable of injuring or killing native wildlife.
"While we know these types of incidents are unintentional and upsetting for the dog’s owners, it’s disappointing and frustrating that preventable wildlife deaths like this keep happening."
He said the golden rules for dogs were to only take them to areas they were allowed, keep them under control, keep them away from sand dunes, and put them on a lead and move them away if you see wildlife.
- Doc hotline on 0800 DOC HOT (0800362-468).
