Teens arrested for beating puppy

File photo / Martin Sykes

A two month-old labrador puppy was kicked, punched and thrown through a basketball hoop by four teenage boys in an Auckland park on Sunday.

Police said they were called to Wilson Place, Papakura, after witnesses reported seeing the dog being repeatedly kicked and then thrown up a tree.

It fell and as it lay motionless, one of the boys held it by its front legs while another boy kicked it in the stomach.

They continued punching and kicking the puppy and then threw it through a basketball hoop.

The puppy suffered extremely bad bruising and was barely able to stand but did not sustain any broken bones.

It was taken to the SPCA where it is receiving medical attention.

The four boys were apprehended by police and referred to Youth Aid.

- NZPA