Alleged dog shooters committed for trial

Two men who allegedly shot 33 dogs on a rural property north of Auckland have been committed for trial.

Russell Mendoza and Tony Campbell will appear for a call-over on animal cruelty and firearms charges at Auckland District Court on September 28.

The charges were laid after the shooting of 33 dogs owned by Rowan Hargreaves on his property near Wellsford, 114km northwest of Auckland.

Mendoza and Campbell face charges of wilful ill-treatment of an animal and alternative charges of ill-treatment of an animal laid by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) under the Animal Welfare Act.

The charges, which carry a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment, were laid after the SPCA.

The men also face charges laid by police of reckless use of a firearm. In addition, Mendoza faces a charge of possession of a firearm without a licence.

The men have indicated they wish to be tried by a jury.

- NZPA