The Queenstown Lakes District Council says it will not hesitate to take ''strong action'' to protect residents, pets and livestock attacked by dogs.
Regulatory manager Lee Webster said the potential for dogs to be destroyed after attacking other animals or people underlined the need for dog owners to maintain ''effective control'' over their pets.
In the Queenstown District Court on Tuesday, Pauline May (55) was convicted of two charges under the Dog Control Act 1996 after her female American Staffordshire terrier, Milley, was found to have attacked a miniature schnauzer on Frankton Beach on May 22 last year.
May denied the charges but was found guilty by Judge Michael Turner and remanded for sentence in April.
One of the charges carries a maximum penalty of $3000, compensation for the treatment received by the injured animal and a mandatory order for the attacking dog's destruction unless there are ''exceptional circumstances''.
Mr Webster said such prosecutions were ''regrettable but entirely preventable''.
The council's primary goal was to educate dog owners about their responsibilities, not prosecute them.
''[However] public safety is the No 1 priority and dog owners need to have their dogs under control at all times.''
He encouraged the public to call the council if they saw a wandering or aggressive dog, after which animal control staff would respond ''swiftly''.
''We have a much better chance of catching the dogs and identifying their owners if we hear about incidents when they happen.''
