Some in the tight-knit community of Moerewa say the issue of menacing dogs hasn't been taken seriously enough by authorities.
It comes as the whānau of an elderly woman mauled to death by a dog paid tribute to their respected kuia on Friday.
Newshub spoke to former Moerewa residents who say they've left the town due to the roaming dogs.
Today, the victim's nephew Joey Rapana and his family remain devastated and in shock.
"We'd like to acknowledge my aunty, it's been a tragic loss within our family, within the whānau," he told Newshub.
Officers were still at the scene on Friday morning, and Police confirmed to Newshub the dog belonged to the owners of the property.
It attacked Rapana's aunty yesterday evening, but by the time police arrived at 4:40pm, she had already died.
We're told her daughters were injured and her husband - widowed.
"We ask that her daughters, especially her daughters that are still going through their injuries at this stage, to look after them," Rapana said.
"But also, as a community, to just stand up and look after our uncle and his daughters at this time."
Dog attacks are increasing in the Muriwhenua / Far North District, up from 229 last year to 257 this year.
Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford told Newshub animal control is a concern in the district.
"Our district goes from Tōwai up to the Cape and we've got two pounds," she said.
"I think they've got a really overwhelmingly huge task."
Some have left Moerewa, in part because dogs in the settlement were making them feel unsafe. Amy Walters is one of them.
"That was a big part of it - a big part of why we left. No one was listening to us about the safety and it's an everyday thing," she told Newshub.
"If your kids are walking to school and they're walking home, it's not safe, it's not safe."
She believes such incidents can, and must, be avoided.
"Please, please do something. It's gone too far now. Someone's lost their life. They lost their family member and it's sad. Could be prevented, it should be prevented."
But in Moerewa the family has a message - please don't point fingers.
"Not to take blame on anyone, anywhere, but we also call upon the community to be safe out there," said Rapana.
As this community grieves for a loved one, violently taken from them.
