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123rf Many attacks in Hauraki District Council's sharp spike happened when a dog rushed from its property to attack another dog on a walk with its owner.

A three-dog fight in a park and dogs rushing out from properties to attack are among the problems of extra dog-walking during the lockdown.

The Hauraki District has noticed a sharp spike in attacks and Hamilton is also noticing an increase as the numbers of dogs and owners out for a walk increase.

"We used to respond to about one dog attack every two months," Hauraki District Council spokesman Peter Thom said, "but at the moment we're getting one every day. Yesterday we had two."

The council is pleading with dog owners to make sure their pooches also stay in their bubbles - either securely on their property or on a lead while out for a walk.

Most Hauraki attacks have involved dogs coming off properties to attack other dogs out walking with their owners, said Thom, the council's group manager for planning and environmental services.

"We all play a part in keeping each other safe during this lockdown and part of this is remembering our responsibilities as dog owners."

The council's dog control team will still respond to safety issues such as attacks under lockdown.

123rf.com Dogs are part of your bubble and should be on a lead even in what's normally and off-lead exercise area, Thames-Coromandel District Council said.

In Hamilton, several dog attacks and a fight involving three dogs happened because of canines off their leads, city council's animal education and control manager Susan Stanford said.

"These attacks and fights then necessitate the owners getting closer than the social distance guidelines, putting themselves and others at risk of cross contamination."

It is great to see more people out walking their dogs, Stanford said, but they must be on a lead and walks should be in their local neighbourhood.

People should also avoid touching others' animals, as human contact could have left the virus on their fur.

Advice is to wash your hands when you get home after a walk and to treat pets as part of your bubble, Stanford said.

Thames-Coromandel District Council issued a similar warning, saying dogs should be on a lead even in areas which were usually off-lead areas.

That's aimed at "reducing chances of transmitting Covid-19 and dog altercations, keeping you, your family and our staff safe," regulatory manager Brian Taylor said.

People who usually drive somewhere, such as the beach to walk their dog, needed to change their walking route to stay local.