'Chopper' repeatedly shot, left to die

Scars from slug gun pellet wounds in Chopper's head are still clearly visible. Now the dog is on the mend, the SPCA is looking for a new home for him. Photo / Gisborne Herald

The discovery of a dog repeatedly shot with a slug gun and left to die in a culvert in Gisborne has shocked animal welfare staff.

"We took him to a vet for x-rays and pellets were right through him...in his head, mouth, throat - all over," Gisborne SPCA animal welfare inspector Bernice David-Goodwin said.

The bull mastiff, about three years old, was extremely malnourished and underweight.

Named Chopper because of his big chops, he was discovered lying in the culvert at Matawai by people working in the area who thought he had fallen off the back of a truck.

"He was terrified. He was not moving, was really wary and in a lot of discomfort."

Ms David-Goodwin said the dog would have been in the culvert for five to seven days.

Close to pure-bred bull mastiff, Chopper should have weighed 45 to 50 kilograms. When he was found he was under 30kg.

"He is about 35kg now. He still has a long way to go but he is doing really well."

When he was found, Chopper's pupils were fully dilated - raising concerns he had neurological problems.

"However he has turned out to be a really nice dog," Ms David-Goodwin said.

For the first four days at the SPCA, Chopper did not get out of bed.

But over the past three weeks he has made great progress and the SPCA is now looking for a home for the dog.

"He is a real sweetie. When we are out walking, he often stops and checks where I am. He deserves a second chance."

The SPCA hoped that publicity would prompt information about who was responsible for the shooting.

- NZPA