A man has been left with scars and bruises after being struck with a broom handle in a random attack while walking his dog at a popular Auckland regional park. 

The attack happened at Okoromai Bay in Shakespear Regional Park on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula earlier this month, when he was whacked with a homemade baiting stick. 

The 78-year-old dog walker, who did not want to be named, was walking along a bush track with his dog off-leash when he was approached by a man “carrying a broom handle with a cup attached to the end”, a tool typically used to bait pest traps. 

The Gulf Harbour resident was left with cuts and bruising to his left shoulder. 

The Gulf Harbour resident said the man started to “act erratically” when he saw his dog was off-leash. 

“He stomped up to me and was yelling at me to put my dog on the leash … I had no idea I was meant to have her on leash. 

“I told him to calm down and said, ‘There’s no need for that [behaviour], mate’.” 

When he tried to walk past the man, he was struck on the back of the head with the stick, while the man continued to yell at him. 

He said he was struck three times, on the back of the head and on his left shoulder, leaving him with cuts and bruising. 

His dog did not react. 

The dog-walker, who lives alone, sought medical care for his injuries. 

The attack happened at Okoromai Bay, Auckland. Image / Google 

“I’m all right now, I’m still in a bit of pain ... but I’m a bit cautious now, you know ... I’m looking around me when taking the dog for walks now.” 

Senior Sergeant Roger Small, of Waitematā North, said police were investigating the incident. 

“At around 8.30am, a man has approached the victim over a dispute about a dog being off-leash. 

“This man has assaulted the victim with a broom handle, causing a minor cut on his chest.” 

The attacker left the area, and police were contacted. 

Auckland Council told the Herald it was aware of the incident and confirmed the attacker was not a council worker. 

“Our rangers on site worked with NZ Police and the man who reported the incident to confirm that no staff and volunteers who work within the park were involved. There were no council contractors working on site at the time.” 

The council said rangers monitored the site closely and “will respond immediately to any further public safety concerns”. 

The 78-year-old sought medical care after the incident. 

It confirmed the section of the park where the incident happened was an on-lead area. 

“We encourage all visitors to be kind and respectful to others when using shared outdoor spaces, and to please follow the signposted rules.” 

A Gulf Harbour local told the Herald the victim was a “really nice man”. 

“Regular beachgoers with dogs meet him every morning, and he has the most gentle, well-behaved, well-trained and docile female dog,” she said. 

She and a few other women were now worried about walking alone. 

The man sustained bruising as a result of the attack. 

“I’ve been walking here for over a year now and was never worried before this … now I’m a bit concerned going on walks.” 

In September last year, a council worker was accused of hurting pūkeko at the same regional park.