A man believed to have been mauled to death by dogs was a “kind and generous” man who found comfort in the company of his canines, community members say.

The elderly man reportedly had 25 dogs on his property, in the small Far North town of Panguru, when he was killed on Thursday.

Father Maliu ‘Otutaha, the reverend at St Peter’s Panguru, said people in the small settlement were “very sad”.

“He was very active in the community and a big support to people,” ‘Otutaha said of the retired builder.

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“He built his own whare and taught some of the young ones how to build.”

Maliu said the man lived alone and “his dog was his comfort in a sense – his companion”.

He said the man’s grown children were travelling to get back to the house.

“It was very sad for the community to lose him, because he was very kind and generous.”

While police continued to investigate, the community was on high alert for three dogs still on the loose in the area.

Far North District Council said there were about 25 dogs on the property, but some were young puppies and none were registered. The council was assisting police in the matter.

Local Henare Te Wake said there was a bit of worry about the situation, especially as police are still in the area.

Te Wake said the man who died kept to himself recently, but was known around the community.

“He’s at peace now.”

Tangiroa Karena, the chairperson of nearby Waipuna Marae, said the incident had rocked the tight-knit community in north Hokianga.

“When something like that happens in your little community, it really impacts on all of us.”

Karena did not know the dead man well but said he looked after his dogs and all his animals.

“We don’t know how it happened yet … whether they were fighting and he tried to break it up or what,” he said.

“Our condolences go to him and his [adult] children.”

Everyone in the area was on high alert for the three dogs which are still missing, Karena said.

Building work was under way at Waipuna Marae, so it was already closed for public gatherings like hui or tangi, but the construction workers had been warned to be on alert for the animals, he said.

Waipuna Marae was the marae of Dame Whina Cooper and now displays a statue in her honour.

On Thursday, police said initial indications suggested the man died from a dog attack. The death appeared to not be suspicious, a spokesperson said.

Four of the dogs on the property got loose and were behaving aggressively.

Police assessed the dogs as a risk to their safety and – in the process of trying to contain them – shot and killed one of the dogs.

Members of the public were urged to avoid any stray dogs in the area and to call 111 immediately if they are seen.

Police said they were unable to provide a description of the animals at this stage.

A scene guard remained in place at the address on Puketawa Rd, Panguru.