8 week old puppy found with ears hacked off
Gate Pa,, BP (NZ)Incident Date: Saturday, Nov 27, 2010
Disposition: Open
Case Images: 1 files available
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
An 8-week-old pup had his ears cut off with scissors in what the Tauranga SPCA says is one of the worst animal cruelty cases it has seen.
The pit bull terrier cross pup, now recovering at the SPCA, had followed a group of children to a takeaway shop in Gate Pa on Saturday morning.
Inspector Jason Blair said the pup's raw and bloody ear wounds appeared to have been inflicted up to 48 hours earlier when he was brought in by a member of the public at midday.
"It's quite a clean cut. I'm only speculating but it looks like it was done with large scissors," Mr Blair.
Despite his horrific ordeal, the bright-eyed pup is brimming with energy and recovering well.
"He's very active, very happy and has a decent bark," said Mr Blair.
The sociable pup showed no signs of distress so it was likely he would be rehomed.
The SPCA is offering a reward for anyone who comes forward with information.
Under new amendments to the Animal Welfare Act made earlier this year, the perpetrator could face up to five years imprisonment or a $100,000 fine.
Previously the maximum fine was two years in jail or a $50,000 fine.
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges spearheaded the amendment after a spate of cruelty cases, including a dog beaten with a metal pole and two goats dragged behind a car sparked a huge public outcry.
"I believe the law change will mean higher penalties and hopefully over time we will see less cruelty toward animals," said Mr Bridges.
He hopes the amendment will ensure the penalties imposed are more significant.
The amendment also doubles the penalties for owners who harm their pets through neglecting their physical, health and behavioural needs in what is classed as reckless ill-treatment.
Mr Bridges said this was an issue that New Zealanders felt strongly about and he had been overwhelmed with support from the public.
Contact the Tauranga SPCA with any information on 07 578 0245. If you have information on this case, please contact:
Tauranga SPCA
07 578 0245
Case UpdatesPublic outrage has led to a $1000 reward being offered for the conviction prosecution of the sadist who cut off the ears of an eight-week-old puppy.
Tauranga Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) inspector Jason Blair today said donations had been coming in from all around the country, bumping up the reward money from $200 to $1000 for information which leading to a successful prosecution.
"They're not businesses or anything, they're just people that like dogs who have been disgusted by the media articles and contacted us."
Mr Blair said more people had come forward with information since NZPA spoke with him yesterday, but he still did not have enough concrete evidence to charge the suspects.
"To be able to meet the standard of proof required for taking it to court I can't just I think I know who did it -- I need to be able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that somebody's done it..."
The puppy, who has been nicknamed Trooper, was recovering remarkably well considering what he had been through and was living in foster care with a family.
Online news stories have been attracting hundreds of comments from outraged animal lovers from across the country.
The offender or offenders could face up to five years imprisonment or a $100,000 fine if convicted. | Source: odt.co.nz - Dec 3, 2010
Update posted on Dec 3, 2010 - 4:52PM |
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