Off-Lead Dog on Ōrewa Beach Sends Fatal Car Crash Survivor Back into Surgery

By Ben Leahy

Joanne Harris, a 49-year-old woman who survived a deadly car crash in 2016 that claimed the life of her unborn son, has been thrust back into the hospital after an unexpected encounter with an off-leash dog on Ōrewa Beach, north of Auckland.

Harris, who had spent years recovering from the crash and relearning how to walk, was struck by a powerful dog during a recent visit to the beach. The incident, which occurred during the Matariki long weekend (June 21), left her with a burst bowel and required emergency surgery.

According to Harris, the dog, which she described as “friendly but completely out of control,” jumped onto her stomach with such force that it caused her bowel to become knotted and blocked. The pain was immediate and severe, leading to vomiting and a hospital visit just hours after the incident.

Doctors at North Shore Hospital performed emergency surgery, removing 80cm of her bowel. Harris, who had already faced the risk of death in the past, expressed concern over the severity of the injury. “If it happened to me three years ago, it likely would have killed me,” she said from her hospital bed.

After initial recovery, Harris was sent home but soon developed an infection, requiring her to return to the hospital for further treatment. A friend later posted a plea on a local Facebook group, urging the dog’s owners to come forward and take responsibility for the incident.

The incident has reignited concerns about off-leash dogs on Ōrewa Beach, a location where such dogs are permitted during the winter months. Harris emphasized that while the dog may have been well-intentioned, its behavior was unmanageable and posed a significant risk to others.

Auckland Council has acknowledged the growing issue of dangerous and roaming dogs and has pledged to address it with increased resources. In the past year, the council received over 16,000 reports of roaming dogs, with more than 1,300 involving attacks on people and 1,500 on animals.

Speaking out in support of better dog control laws, Auckland Councillor Josephine Bartley said: “Too many dog owners think it’s okay to let their dogs have a wander. It’s not.” She highlighted the fear that such incidents have instilled in communities, with children afraid to walk to school and elderly residents reluctant to leave their homes.

Harris, who owns an English bull terrier and an American bulldog, has trained her pets to avoid jumping on people. She urged other dog owners to consider the potential consequences of their pets’ behavior, especially for the vulnerable and injured.

Harris’s experience with the dog incident has been a painful setback in her ongoing recovery. She had just begun to enjoy her first coffee and beach walk since the accident, only to face another injury that has disrupted her plans and delayed her return to full health.

Reflecting on the 2016 crash that nearly cost her life, Harris recalls the moment she was hit by a van on the Dome Valley Hill near Warkworth. The crash left her with severe internal injuries, broken bones, and the loss of her unborn child. Her survival was due in large part to the quick actions of Dr. Marcus Chan and the Auckland Rescue Helicopter, who provided life-saving treatment.

Now, as she continues her recovery, Harris is determined to raise awareness about the risks associated with uncontrolled dogs. “I would just not want my dog to cause this type of injury to anybody,” she said.

Harris is currently focused on her recovery and hopes to reunite with her son and daughter as soon as possible. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the potential consequences of neglecting it.

As the debate over dog control laws continues, Harris’s experience highlights the urgent need for stronger measures to protect both people and animals from the dangers posed by uncontrolled roaming dogs.