Stowaway mouse snared by biosecurity dog

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

A stowaway mouse has prompted a warning for people to check their gear carefully before visiting Auckland's Hauraki Gulf.

The caution follows capture of the creature which was hoping to spend a relaxing weekend on an island in the gulf.

The mouse was spotted darting out of a passenger's bag and scurrying onto a pest-free warranted vessel.

“This is a timely reminder of why bio-security practices are so important and why we ask passengers and boaties to check their gear carefully before heading out onto the gulf,” said Hauraki Gulf bio-security manager Liz Brooks.

“Most of the gulf islands are pest free and home to a wide range of rare and endangered birds. The “check, clean, close” message is a serious one and there to help protect those native birds.’

The mouse remained at large for three days, eluding all attempts of capture before Auckland Council's bio-security team called in Rosie the rodent detection dog.

She uncovered a chewed glove in the passenger's bag where the mouse had been living.

Rosie soon tracked down the mouse's hiding place, traps were set and the stowaway was caught.

"We were lucky the mouse was spotted before it had the opportunity to get onshore on one of the many pest-free islands," said dog handler Kerryn Johnson.