Leads followed in puppy drownings

Animal Control and police are following possible leads in their hunt for those responsible for trying to drown five puppies.

The puppies were found tied up in a sack weighted down by rocks at Mokihinui Beach on the West Coast by a member of the public.

Buller District senior animal control officer Tracy Judd said three of the five-week-old huntaway-cross puppies were dead, and two were suffering from hypothermia and malnourishment.

Animal Control had received two phone calls in relation to their investigation and would be following up possible leads next week.

The two surviving puppies were in a "terrible" condition as they had not been properly fed, but would live, Ms Judd said.

It was hard to understand why those responsible had not handed the puppies over to the SPCA, Ms Judd said.

- NZPA