Owen Heke Found Guilty of Aggravated Burglary and Assaulting Police Dog in Kihikihi Incident

In a recent court ruling, Owen Heke was found guilty of aggravated burglary, presenting a weapon at a police officer, and injuring a police dog during a violent incident in Kihikihi in January 2024. The case has sparked discussions about the legal and ethical responsibilities of individuals when interacting with law enforcement and their animals.

The Incident Begins with a Dispute Over a Motorcycle

The events leading to Heke’s arrest began when he arrived at a rural home in Kihikihi, claiming he wanted to retrieve a Harley-Davidson motorcycle stored on the property. Heke stated the bike belonged to a mutual friend who had recently passed away. However, the homeowner, who was present at the time, told Heke to stay back as he approached the shed.

Tensions quickly escalated. Heke allegedly pushed the victim, who in turn pushed him back. When Heke then pulled a knife, the victim said, 'If he didn’t get out of the way, you were going to stab him,' prompting the victim to move aside and raise his hands. Heke left the scene but returned with an associate, who stole the bike.

Police Pursuit and the Alleged Threat with a Weapon

As the thieves attempted to flee, police arrived and initiated a slow-speed (about 15km/h) pursuit for approximately 2-3 kilometers. Heke eventually pulled over and ran into a paddock. A constable observed a long, solid object in Heke’s hands and believed it might be a sawn-off shotgun.

Heke then made a hand motion consistent with a pump-action shotgun and produced a noise like 'racking' a shotgun. The officer, expecting a shot, immediately released the police dog Finn in self-defense. Heke then made a hand motion at Finn, which appeared to strike the dog in the face, resulting in Finn biting Heke on the leg.

Discovery of a Mechanical Torch and the Dog’s Injuries

Upon investigation, the dog handler discovered that instead of a firearm, Heke was holding a large mechanical torch. However, the injuries sustained by Finn were severe. The dog handler noted a gash around the dog’s eye and a missing metal tooth. A vet later testified that police dogs are equipped with reinforced metal alloy teeth, and the loss of a canine tooth due to blunt force trauma is rare and indicates significant force.

The Court’s Findings and Sentencing

Judge Kim Saunders dismissed Heke’s claim that he had injured himself and found his defense implausible. She accepted the evidence provided by the victim, the dog handler, and the vet, leading to the conviction on the three charges: aggravated burglary, presenting a weapon at a police officer, and injuring a police dog. Two other charges—assault with a weapon and theft—were dismissed.

Heke was remanded in custody and will face sentencing in December. Heke denied the burglary charge, claiming the bike was his and that he was not armed with a knife. His counsel argued that the constable’s evidence was insufficient to prove the charges. However, Judge Saunders rejected this, emphasizing the significance of the dog’s injuries and the consistency of the evidence presented.

A Case Highlighting the Severity of Threats Against Police and Their Animals

This case underscores the serious consequences of threatening or harming police officers and their animals, even when no actual weapon is used. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of law enforcement and the importance of respecting the role of police dogs in maintaining public safety.