Animal lovers bump up reward for puppy abusers

Public outrage has led to a $1000 reward being offered for the conviction prosecution of the sadist who cut off the ears of an eight-week-old puppy. Photo / Alan Gibson

Public outrage has led to a $1000 reward being offered for the conviction prosecution of the sadist who cut off the ears of an eight-week-old puppy.

Tauranga Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) inspector Jason Blair today said donations had been coming in from all around the country, bumping up the reward money from $200 to $1000 for information which leading to a successful prosecution.

"They're not businesses or anything, they're just people that like dogs who have been disgusted by the media articles and contacted us."

Mr Blair said more people had come forward with information since NZPA spoke with him yesterday, but he still did not have enough concrete evidence to charge the suspects.

"To be able to meet the standard of proof required for taking it to court I can't just I think I know who did it - I need to be able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that somebody's done it..."

The puppy, who has been nicknamed Trooper, was recovering remarkably well considering what he had been through and was living in foster care with a family.

Online news stories have been attracting hundreds of comments from outraged animal lovers from across the country.

The offender or offenders could face up to five years imprisonment or a $100,000 fine if convicted.

- NZPA