8 April 2019
Simon Garlick
[FYI request #9620 email]
Dear Simon Garlick
Request for information
Thank you for your email received on 19 February 2019 requesting
information on use of dogs in apprehending offenders and injuries to
persons and dogs. Specifically you requested:
1. On how many occasions in recent years were police dogs used to
apprehend someone?
2. How many of these resulted in short term/long term injuries to the
subject?
3. How many of these resulted in injuries to the dog(s)?
4. Where possible, demographic information on the subject (age,
gender, race, etc.).
Your request has been considered in accordance with the Official
Information Act 1982 and I enclose the following information:
1. On how many occasions in recent years were police dogs used to
apprehend someone?
Answer: From 01/01/2016 – 15/03/2019 police dogs were used
5284 times to apprehend offenders.
2. How many of these resulted in short term/long term injuries to the
subject?
Answer: From 01/01/2016 – 15/03/2019 to total of 738 persons
were bitten. 76 serious / 662 minor injuries.
The Royal New Zealand Police College: Te Kāreti Karauna O Nga Pirihimana O Aotearoa
Papakowhai Road, Private Bag 50906, DX SX111219, Porirua 5240, New Zealand.
Telephone: 64 4 238 3000. Fax: 64 4 237 1571. www.police.govt.nz
3. How many of these resulted in injuries to the dog(s)?
Answer: Due to the work Police dogs do they are often punched /
kicked/ bitten by offenders. We do not keep records of dogs that are
‘assaulted’. Any dogs that are seriously injured or killed, the offenders
are charged accordingly. This part of your request is refused under
section 18(e) of the Official Act 1982 as the information requested does
not exist.
4. Where possible, demographic information on the subject (age, gender,
race, etc)
Answer: It is not possible to provide the information you have
requested as we are unable to easily distinguish on these grounds. It
would require examining each file individually and compiling the results.
This part of your request has been refused pursuant to section 18(f) of
the Official Information Act 1982, as the information requested cannot
be made available without substantial collation or research.
If you have any questions, you may contact Inspector Todd Southall of the
New Zealand Dog Section on +64 4 2383137 or by email
[email address].
You have the right, under section 28 (3) of the Official Information Act 1982, to
ask the Ombudsman to review my decision if you are not satisfied with the
way I have responded to your request.
Yours sincerely
Inspector David Rose
Head of School: Response
The Royal New Zealand Police College
2