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SPCA List of Shame 2016
SPCA List of Shame 2016
Our SPCA Inspectors see many cases of horrible animal abuse, neglect and cruelty. This List
of Shame is the culmination of these the very worst cases the SPCA has investigated and
prosecuted this year.
Last year our SPCA Inspectors investigated a record 15,219 animal welfare complaints which led to
61 successful prosecutions. Running the SPCA Inspectorate costs approximately $9 million each
year, and we receive no direct government funding to do this vital work.
This week were asking all New Zealanders to give for justice and donate generously at
www.spcaannualappeal.org.nz.
1. A Christchurch man was convicted of wilfully ill-treating his six month old
puppy and sentenced to 15 months imprisonment and disqualified from
owning any animals for life.
Over a period of six weeks he inflicted severe and widespread blunt force
trauma injuries on his puppy. She had over 11 fractures, including her lower
jaw, both thigh bones, multiple head and rib fractures, and fractures on three
out of four legs. She had massive swelling and distortion to her face and
head, could not see out of her right eye and could not open her jaw. She
was also in emaciated body condition with muscle loss present
over her whole body. Sadly, due to immediate
welfare concerns and the grave long-term
outlook the puppy had to be euthanased.
5. A stray puppy was taken in to the Rotorua SPCA. The puppy could not stand and was
unresponsive. He was covered in severe mange, emaciated and suffered from parvovirus a very
contagious and painful illness for dogs.
The puppy had to be euthanased on humane grounds and the person or persons responsible have
never been located.
6. An Auckland woman was convicted of wilfully illtreating her dog and sentenced to 120 hours community
work, ordered to pay $1000.00 in reparations and
disqualified from owning animals for a period of 10 years.
When SPCA Inspectors found the dog, she was chained
up, emaciated, had demodectic mange, ringworm,
bi-lateral chronic ear infections and chronic anaemia
as a result of an extremely high parasite burden. In the
care of the SPCA the dog has made a full recovery and
now leads a happy, healthy life.
9. An Auckland woman was charged with failing to ensure that the physical,
health and behavioural needs of her animals were met. Her two dogs
were found living inside a garage in very thin body condition, dehydrated
significant muscle atrophy. Her two cats were confined inside a single
crate in filthy conditions and no food or water.
The woman is currently awaiting sentencing. After receiving care at the
SPCA, all four animals were adopted by new families.
10. A Hamilton woman was convicted of deserting an adult cat and 7
kittens in circumstances in which no provision was made to meet their
physical, health and behavioural needs and sentenced to 120 hours community
work, ordered to pay $157.03 in reparations and $200.00 in
court costs and disqualified from owning animals for 2 years.
The woman moved out of her Hamilton property and left the cats and kittens behind. When SPCA
Inspectors found them almost a month later, all were suffering from a significant flea burden, four
kittens were underweight, two kittens had eye infections and two had to be humanely euthanised
because they were suffering from a congenital condition, leaving them with maggot infested holes
where their tails should have been.
11. An Ashhurst man was convicted of ill-treating his dog and
sentenced to a fine of $1,875.00, ordered to pay $162.50 in
reparations, $130.00 court costs and $300.00 solicitor costs.
The man, a farmer with more than 30 years farming
experience, noticed some fly eggs on his elderly working dog
and used disinfectant to kill them. He didnt check to see if
it had worked and two days later SPCA Inspectors found the
dog unresponsive to both voice and touch. He was suffering
from a severe maggot infestation from the base of his tail to
his shoulder blades, and the skin along his back was oozing a
bloody discharge.
Due to the dogs condition and it being likely he was also
suffering from septic shock, he was humanely euthanised.