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The fine imposed on a Taita woman whose starved dog was 50 per cent below its ideal weight when rescued by Wellington SPCA is a good start, an animal welfare inspector says.
Hurehia Ratahi Mahara was fined $350 and disqualified from owning a dog for three years when she appeared in Lower Hutt District Court yesterday.
She was also ordered to pay Wellington SPCA $2088. Inspector Ben Lakomy said more lenient fines had been previously imposed, despite the maximum penalty being $25,000 and/or six months in prison.Staff reporter, NZPA
