Pets kidnapped, tortured, ransomed Hutt Valley, NL (NZ) Incident Date: Thursday, Jun 30, 2005 Disposition: Convicted Abuser/Suspect: Uwe Herbert Charles Preuss Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

Case ID: 5335 Classification: Theft, Mutilation/Torture Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in NL (NZ) Login to Watch this Case

Two Hutt Valley women have had their pets kidnapped and tortured in a macabre extortion racket. Police have investigated but � despite having "grave suspicions and concerns" about the behaviour of a man, living in the community while on bail � say they do not have enough evidence to secure a conviction.

Honey, a six-year-old fox terrier belonging to Evelyne Weaver, of Stokes Valley, had a hole drilled in its throat and stuffed with tar; its flesh was shaved to the bone; and the dog was stored in a car boot and a freezer. Mrs Weaver claims the torture was carried out by a person known to her.

The man said he had found Honey but demanded $40 for her return, saying he had spent that much looking. Mrs Weaver refused and the man returned the dog anyway.

"She was dead on her feet and couldn't move," Mrs Weaver said.

Honey was taken to the Stokes Valley Veterinary Clinic but had to be put down after three days, leaving Mrs Weaver grieving the loss of her closest friend.

Later, Waiwhetu woman Marina Lathouraki had her two cats vanish. One, four-year-old Athena, returned home with a dislocated jaw. The other, two-year-old ginger-and-white Tarcus, has yet to be found. The man, who was also known to Mrs Lathouraki, told her that Tarcus was at a friend's house, and it would cost her $100 for the cat's return. Mrs Lathouraki gave him $60 and has not seen him since.

Both women complained to police about their pets being tortured and the extortion attempts, but say they have been frustrated by seeming inaction.

Mrs Weaver said the man's mother-in-law had his car at her home, complete with blood-stained boot, but was still waiting to be interviewed by police.

Cruelty to animals has been cited by behaviour researchers as an early sign of a person's tendency to commit violent crimes against people.

Inspector Mike Hill, of Lower Hutt, said Mrs Weaver's complaint was still being investigated. Though the man had yet to be formally interviewed, there was insufficient evidence to secure a successful prosecution "at this stage". The man had told police that Honey had arrived home injured.

Three witnesses had been interviewed regarding the incident.

There was nothing to connect the man to Mrs Lathouraki's cats.

No action would be taken unless further information came to light.

However, police "certainly had grave suspicions and concerns" about the man's behaviour, Mr Hill said. "But we are still short of (evidence required for) a prosecution." Police would be keeping a record of the man's connection to similar incidents in the future.

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References

	NZCity - Aug 12, 2005
	Stuff.Co.Nz - Aug 11, 2005

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