Dog found emaciated, with infected wounds

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A woman who left her dog to die in a shed after he suffered serious wounds following a suspected dog attack, has been prosecuted for her neglect by SPCA.

The animal had to be euthanised.

The woman pleaded guilty in Wairoa District Court to a charge of failing to ensure her animal received treatment to alleviate any pain or distress, and was last week sentenced to 150 hours community work and disqualified from owning dogs for a period of three-and-a-half years. She was also ordered to pay the vet’s bill.

The SPCA was called to an address in Hastings in January 2022 after receiving a call of concern about an injured dog. On arrival, they were met by the defendant and discovered her American bulldog cross, Tahi, lying in a shed at the back of the property. His left hind-leg was swollen from the foot up to the thigh. The skin around the leg area extending towards his foot was severely damaged with exposed flesh and pus discharge.

There was a damp patch on the wooden floor under the area of damaged skin, which appeared to be pus discharge. There was a strong, unpleasant smell coming from the dog, which the inspector believed was typical of infected putrid flesh.

The inspector told the defendant that Tahi required urgent veterinary attention, and she agreed to surrender him to the SPCA. He was immediately removed from the address and taken for veterinary examination.

The vet found Tahi was depressed, barely responsive and severely emaciated. Both eyes were sunken which indicated serious dehydration. He had a skin infection in his lips, with one of his lip folds infested with maggots. He had thickened skin across his abdomen and maggots in his groin and scrotum area. He could only stand for short periods of time before collapsing on his side and he refused to walk.