Call to name and shame 'mongrels' who burned pig dogs alive in Broadwood

Two Northland pig dogs were burned alive after this Toyota Hilux utility vehicle was stolen from Broadwood.

Cabinet Minister Shane Jones wants 'the mongrels' who burnt two pig dogs to death after stealing a ute they were in to be named and shamed.

Two pig dogs were burned alive after thieves stole a ute and torched it. Chad Scrivener, 22 and his brother Theo, 24, from Broadwood, 48km southeast of Kaitaia, lost about $10,000 worth of hunting gear and cash in the fire that a senior firefighter called "absolutely despicable".

But their family is also devastated by the cruelty inflicted on the two pig dogs in dog boxes on the rear of the Toyota Hilux on Friday night.

Keen pig hunters Theo and Chad Scrivener have had two pig dogs burned alive by thieves who stole their ute.

The brothers had the ute on their Awaroa Rd property for a hunting trip and the dogs were sleeping in dog boxes on the ute's tray. The ute was stolen when the brothers left the property briefly.

Father Malcolm Scrivener said those responsible rammed the front gate to his sons' property using a car, burgled the house, found the ute's spare keys and drove off, leaving their car behind.

"They crashed the ute into a [Awaroa Rd] paddock then came back just before daylight to take away the car they'd left behind, but [they] could not do so.

They then got petrol and set the Hilux alight, knowing full well the dogs were in there. All they had to do was open the door of the dog box and let them out.

"You can replace all the other stuff but you can't replace those animals. Who in the world would be so sick to burn animals?" Mr Scrivener said. The dogs had been taken on hunting trips for many years.

Mr Scrivener said his family knew the people responsible but would not name names as police investigations were under way.

Theo and Chad have been doing well as beekeepers and it was a shame they were victims of a "sickening" act.

Ahipara Fire Brigade officer in charge Dave Ross said it was an "absolutely despicable" act, the likes of which he has never seen .

One of the three dogs managed to slip out of its box and was found on the roadside.

Police attended the scene and are investigating the matter and Mr Jones said he understood the names of those believed responsible had been passed on to police.

"I'd like the mongrels responsible for this despicable, bestial act to be named and shamed. I want the community to know who these creeps are. If they can do this to animals, the next step could be people," Mr Jones, the Minister for Economic Development, said.

"The Hokianga is a beautiful place with a lot of history and to have this vile thing happen locally taints all of us. It may sound extreme coming from a Minister of the Crown, but I think this community needs to have confidence that the people in power will stand up and call out grossness of this despicable act.

"If people who commit these horrible acts do not want to be part of our society and live by our laws and standards then they should remove themselves to prison and get the help they need. We do not need these people in our communities. Just imagine the terror these people can inflict on people if they are prepared to do that to animals."