They were charged following a complaint to the SPCA by a member of the public in November 2022, who saw what was described as “a skinny black dog that looked like it was dying” in the driveway of an address in Rotorua.
SPCA chief executive Todd Westwood said he felt physically ill thinking about the pain the dog would have been in, and that the details of the case were deeply affecting.
“The extent of trauma is hard to stomach,” he said in a statement.
After the complaint was lodged, an SPCA inspector attended the property immediately and found the black dog in a garage, emaciated, unresponsive and unable to walk without assistance.
His ribs, spine and pelvic bones were sticking out and visible from a distance, his eyes were sunken and he was in too much pain to stand.
The inspector immediately took the dog to a vet, who found he was severely dehydrated and had a urinary tract infection. His feet had wounds and lacerations. His breathing was rapid and noisy, his tail was paralysed and maggots were seen crawling out and around his anus, which was red and inflamed.
Grimlock’s foreskin was badly swollen and discharging pus. Blood tests indicated chronic infection and his kidney, liver and pancreas showed abnormal function.
X-rays showed Grimlock’s pelvic bone and tail were broken and dislocated, which were injuries consistent with severe trauma.
The SPCA said vets concluded he was in immense pain for days, possibly weeks and that euthanasia was recommended to prevent further suffering.
One of the defendants admitted to noticing blood in Grimlock’s urine weeks prior.
The other defendant noted the dog was tumbling and wobbly when he tried to walk, saying he thought the dog had been run over and assumed it was a sprained leg and that he’d “tough it out”.
Neither sought treatment for the dog.
“These individuals knew the dog was in severe pain and did nothing. It is utterly heartless,” Westwood said.
“Animals deserve responsible guardians to provide for their care as you would a beloved family member.”
He said Grimlock’s short life was intolerable near the end, and it took a concerned member of the public to call it out.
“I am grateful for their courage and compassion.”
One of the siblings was sentenced to 160 hours of community work, and the other to 15 months of intensive supervision.
The pair were also ordered to pay reparation of $300 each to SPCA.
The SPCA is the country’s largest animal charity, with 28 centres nationwide.
It has the power to bring charges against owners under the Animal Welfare Act.
Tracy Neal is a Nelson-based Open Justice reporter at NZME. She was previously RNZ’s regional reporter in Nelson-Marlborough and has covered general news, including court and local government for the Nelson Mail.
