They briefly spoke, saying the family were grieving, and asked the community to keep the wh\u0101nau in their thoughts and prayers.<\/p>\n
They requested space at this time.<\/p>\n
Residents of the tight-knit community, which has a population of fewer than 200 people, were today trying to come to terms with the fatal attack.<\/p>\n
Wairoa Ward councillor for Kaipara District Council, Snow Tane, said everybody knew Te Rore. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen something happens we all pull together and support one another.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several who spoke to the Northern Advocate under anonymity described how the community was \u201cshattered\u201d by what had happened.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think everybody\u2019s gutted,\u201d one local said.<\/p>\n
They had hoped the dogs would be put down so they did not pose a risk to others.<\/p>\n
Police in Kaihu investigating the woman’s death. Photo \/ Jason Dorday<\/p>\n
Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, of Whang\u0101rei CIB, confirmed the three dogs were with animal management. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a very upsetting and tragic event in which a woman has suffered unsurvivable injuries,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know the community will have a lot of questions; our investigation is still in the early stages and our focus is on establishing all the facts in this case.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pilmer said police wanted to hear from anyone in Kaihu who has had issues with dogs roaming.<\/p>\n
The usually sleepy settlement is busy with officers today as police continue their investigation into Te Rore\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
Police have cordoned off the SH12 property where the attack took place and officers can be seen speaking to residents whose homes are nearby. <\/p>\n
A number of police are in Kaihu as part of the investigation. Photo \/ Jason Dorday
Officers are speaking to residents whose homes are nearby on State Highway 12. Photo \/ Jason Dorday<\/p>\n
Tane said although roaming dogs has been widely reported in the past, he did not see it as a widespread issue. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut what I do see is that we need to ensure that locals, if they see these things happening, they\u2019ve got to play their part.\u201d<\/p>\n
Te Rore\u2019s death has prompted Northland MP Grant McCallum to call for a meeting with Northland\u2019s district mayors and Minister for Local Government Simon Watts to discuss dog control.<\/p>\n
He said the issue was becoming consistent in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am concerned Northland is developing a reputation for being unsafe, or for being a region that does not take dog control seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCallum acknowledged yesterday\u2019s fatal dog attack was the third in five years in Northland.<\/p>\n
In August 2022, Neville Thomson died<\/a> at his house in the Far North town of Panguru. <\/p>\n The man who owned the dogs, Abel Wira, was later jailed for three and a half years<\/a> in New Zealand\u2019s first dog-attack manslaughter conviction.<\/p>\n