Dogs attacking livestock in the Cook Islands has become a recurring issue for the SPCA which says owners must take responsibility for their pets.
It cites a case where a man from Matavera in Rarotonga had his pigs attacked by dogs.
SPCA inspector Steph Saunders said dogs in Rarotonga are often not tethered and roam freely, whereas livestock tend to be tied-up, leaving them defenceless.
Ms Saunders said there are rarely any consequences for owners of dogs caught attacking livestock.
"There is very little in the way of animal welfare law here in the Cook Islands and that's something that we really want to push that we get some decent legislation that we can actually enforce and I mean this sort of stuff takes time."
"It's not just about penalties, it's about educating the public as well," she said.
Eight to 10 percent of visitors to the Cook Islands will often make complaints about stray dogs. Photo: RNZ/ Daniela Maoate-Cox
