Hayden Kemp, the owner of two dogs that mauled and killed 14 sheep on the Piopio/Aria golf course on January 21st, 2018, was prosecuted by the NZ Police after an investigation assisted by Waitomo District Council (WDC).

The dogs were not registered or microchipped with WDC at the time.

The dogs had strayed from their rural home address located about 1km away onto the Piopio/Aria Golf Course. One dog was shot by a farmer during the attack, while the other dog decamped and was later seized and impounded by WDC Animal Control with the assistance of the NZ Police. The dog was later euthanized after being formally surrendered by Mr Kemp to WDC.

On 30 May 2018, in the Te Kuiti District Court, Mr. Kemp pleaded guilty to the charge of owning two dogs that attacked stock. Mr Kemp was convicted, and ordered to pay $2,240 reparation to the Piopio/Aria Golf Club and $817.50 to WDC.

Mr. Kemp has been disqualified by WDC from owning a dog for five years.