Our View: Gutless silence on abuse appals

It was a crime that shocked the Bay.
How could anyone hack off a puppy's ears with scissors.
This is what happened to Trooper when he was just 8 weeks old.
This paper featured the story seven months ago. The attack generated outrage.
Now, there is even more outrage.
As reported in the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend on Saturday, the sadists who were behind this sick and vile incident will avoid prosecution because witnesses refuse to testify.
The SPCA has put a huge amount of time into investigating this attack and rightly so. Officials describe it as one of the worst abuse cases they have seen.
But people who know what happened with Trooper and who is responsible for his injuries are not forthcoming.
Jason Blair, of the Tauranga SPCA, says it is a common problem for the organisation. Animals cannot speak for themselves, which puts more emphasis on eyewitness accounts.
The good news is one person has been charged over Trooper's mutilation.
A 27-year-old man has been charged with failing to provide veterinary treatment to alleviate the dog's pain and distress.
This case demonstrates the SPCA has the steel to go after sick people who hurt animals and should serve as a warning for anyone who mistreats pets.
As for the people who refuse to tell the truth and help see that justice is done for Trooper, we have only one message.
They are gutless and should be ashamed of themselves.