Molly was left tied up alone in a backyard for a week. Photo / Supplied
Molly was left tied up alone in a backyard for a week. Photo / Supplied
The SPCA has cast light on acts of cruelty against animals in conjunction with its annual appeal.
The society's List of Shame aims to raise awareness about animal welfare issues.
This year's list includes two men who encouraged dogs to viciously attack two goats, videoed the incidents and shared them on social media.
It also features a Greymouth man who was sentenced to two years and five months imprisonment for wilfully ill-treating two cats.
He beat a cat to death with a tomahawk, cut off its paws and hung them outside his garage as a memento. He also caught his neighbour's cat, set it alight with petrol and filmed it as it ran around in a blaze. He then dumped it, thinking it was dead.
Royal New Zealand SPCA chief executive Ric Odom said the job of animal rescue and protection was often a challenging and heart-breaking one.
"Sadly the List of Shame shows the SPCA and the public there is still work to be done to protect New Zealand's animals.
"The List of Shame highlights the on-going need for the inspectorates who daily rescue abused and neglected animals as well as providing education, vet care and shelter for these vulnerable pets," Mr Odom said.
"The entire SPCA team and volunteers would love to see the days where we didn't have enough content to create a List of Shame. We are not there yet but we are committed to doing everything we can to prevent the sort of cruelty our teams deal with daily."
More than 56,000 animals need help every year and the SPCA investigates and prosecutes where necessary.
Another case from the List of Shame tells the tale of a labrador cross puppy that was left tied up alone in a backyard while its owners were away for a week.
The dog, Molly, became tangled in a rope that cut through the dog's neck so deeply it almost cut its jugular vein.
Molly after having surgery. Photo / Supplied
The SPCA said if Molly wasn't rescued that day it would have died. Since coming to the SPCA it has had four surgeries and is now on the mend.
Mr Odom said the SPCA's work was almost entirely funded by donations and legacies of generous New Zealanders.
"Our gratitude goes out to all those individuals, groups and organisations who support us. Hundreds of volunteers, and their pets will be hitting the streets during our Annual Appeal and we give our thanks to them and everyone who donates."
Donations can be made to street collectors around the country from Friday, at any ASB branch or online at www.spcaannualappeal.org.nz.
