UPDATED 1.53PM: The SPCA is distancing itself from comments made by the head of its Auckland branch.

Bob Kerridge is blaming the way dogs are treated in some cultures for a spate of attacks and has singled out south Auckland where he believes there are not many responsible owners.

SPCA chief executive Ric Odom says the issue of dog ownership is an individual responsibility.

"It really has, as far as the SPCA is concerned, not very much to do with ethnicity, and all to do with learning how to be a good and responsible pet owner," he says.

Councillor Alf Filipaina told Newstalk ZB's Jack Tame he doesn't know where to begin.

"Man, I just don't know where his head was."

Filipaina says every culture has rules and common practices to look after dogs and prevent attacks.

"So I don't know again where he's coming from in regards to saying that they don't know how to look after a dog."

Alf Filipaina says it's a matter of education rather than ethnicity.