A man who climbed the fence to the dog pound told the court there was no sign on the gate telling him he couldn't.
Oliver Dekker appeared in Whanganui District Court on Tuesday pleading not guilty for a charge burglary under $500.
Police prosecutor Stephen Butler told the court Dekker had climbed over the back fence to the Wanganui Dog Pound.
Judge David Cameron told the court Dekker had chosen to represent himself in this case.
He asked the defendant if he was certain he didn't want to discuss his case with a public defendant.