Updated March 17, 2017 10:44:18

Police shot dead a runaway dog on the tarmac of New Zealand's Auckland Airport because it was delaying planes taking off.

Sixteen domestic and international flights were delayed for safety reasons at the nation's busiest airport while the dog was on the loose for three hours, Auckland Airport spokeswoman Lisa Mulitalo said.

"The dog was clearly distressed and wouldn't let anyone near it so the decision was made to shoot the dog," she said.

A police marksman killed the 10-month-old bearded-collie and German shorthaired pointer cross called Grizz, which was in training to detect explosives, said Mike Richards, a spokesman for New Zealand's Aviation Security Service.

"Of course it was dark for most of the time it was on the run, they tried everything they could, but just couldn't lure the dog back, I think it was just freaked out," he said.

Ms Mulitalo said the backlog of delayed flights would likely be cleared during the morning.

Reuters

Topics: animals, human-interest, accidents, police, new-zealand

First posted March 17, 2017 10:24:47