Designer's dogs buried with him

By LOUISA CLEAVE

The family of celebrity designer David McNee have had his beloved dogs destroyed and buried with him.

Bassett hounds Jasper and Felix were found roaming free in the inner-city St Marys Bay home where Mr McNee was bashed to death about July 20.

Animal control officers removed the dogs when his body was discovered two days later.

Police had said the dogs would be held until Mr McNee's will was found with instructions for their care.

But no will was found and a police spokeswoman said yesterday that the family had asked that the dogs be put down and buried with their owner.

The flamboyant designer, who appeared on television home makeover shows, once broke his ankle when he fell down a bank trying to rescue Felix, who was unable to use his hind legs.

Law firm Morrison Kent this week advertised for information about a will by Mr McNee.

* An unemployed Auckland man has been charged with Mr McNee's murder. Phillip Layton Edwards, 23, will reappear in court this month.