Trying to give the dogs enough space, he said he walked across the grass berm, close to the road. But he misjudged the length of the rope and the dogs were able to reach him.
Smith said it was “so fortunate” he was able to stay on his feet as both dogs launched their attack, jumping up at him, biting and scratching.
“It was all over in a matter of moments, really.
“[They would] take a couple of quick jumps at me, bite and scratch, step back, come at me again, bite and scratch.”
He said he fended off the animals by kicking them, before a neighbour heard the barking and was able to stop the attack.
The neighbour drove Smith to a doctor, where it took hours to clean and dress his extensive wounds, which included a 2cm bite mark that “completely ripped the flesh out, leaving only tissue”, Smith said.
“It’s going to be a long road to recovery, but I feel lucky to be alive.
Mike Smith, 83, suffered multiple bite wounds after being attacked by two dogs in Huapai on Wednesday morning.
“I was quite shaken; I do not like to think about what would happen if the dogs managed to tip me over.”
Smith said he had seen one of the dogs, the one he considered the most aggressive, tied on a short chain next to the fence “for a long time now”.
It often tried to scale the fence as people walked past, including young kids from the nearby childcare centre, he said.
“To leave a dog like that, it’s just so cruel.
“[The owner] should be fined big time… the owner needs to have, you know, serious consequences, not just dogs taken away.”
A mother who posted about the incident on Facebook claimed nearby workers told her it was not the first time concerns had been raised about the dogs’ behaviour.
The woman said staff from nearby businesses, including the childcare centre, were particularly concerned because children regularly walked through the area.
According to the post, the dogs’ owner was not home when the incident occurred but returned after the commotion.
“Unfortunately, there was no apology or acknowledgement of what had happened, which was very disappointing given the seriousness of the situation,” she wrote.
Mike Smith says he is lucky to be alive after being attacked by two dogs in Huapai on Wednesday.
The victim’s daughter said she was “absolutely heartbroken” about her father’s injuries.
“As a daughter, seeing someone you love hurt is devastating.”
She said the impact of such injuries was often worse for older people, with skin tearing more easily, wounds taking longer to heal and recovery more difficult than for younger victims.
She stressed the issue was not about blaming all dogs, but about responsible ownership and community safety.
“No one should have to suffer an attack like this, regardless of their age. But when the victim is an elderly person, the consequences can be life-changing.”
Animal Management manager Elly Waitoa said the two dogs were seized after escaping the Huapai property and attacking the elderly man on Wednesday morning.
Waitoa said officers responded to a report of a dog attack on Main Rd and established that the victim had suffered multiple dog bites. He later sought treatment from his GP.
The dogs then approached a couple who were walking their own dog, but the pair were able to fend the animals off and prevent a further attack, Waitoa said.
An investigation into the incidents was underway.
Waitoa reminded dog owners about the importance of keeping animals securely contained on their properties, warning of serious consequences when dogs were allowed to roam.
A police spokesperson confirmed they were also called to the incident, but directed all questions to the council.
Rachel Maher is an investigative reporter covering Auckland issues and education. She started at the Herald as a breaking news journalist in 2022, before joining the Auckland team this year.
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