A man who was believed to have been mauled to death by dogs on Thursday had 25 dogs on his property.

People in the small Far North town of Panguru are in shock after the death, and are 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.

“A history check on the property by council’s Animal Management Team found that there were no active registered dogs for the property,” said district services general manager, Dr Dean Myburgh.

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The council was assisting police in the matter, he said.

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 is on high alert for the three dogs which are still missing, Karena said.

Building work is currently underway at Waipuna Marae, so it was already closed for public gatherings like hui or tangi, he said.

But the construction workers have been warned to be on alert for the animals.

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.

The other three dogs are still on the loose, with police resuming the search for them on Friday morning.

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

Police are unable to provide a description of the animals at this stage, due to the fast-moving nature of the situation.

Meanwhile, a scene guard remains in place at the address on Puketawa Rd, Panguru, as police try to establish what happened.