Theft of dogs adds to SPCA woes

The theft of two dogs of a valuable breed has added to the frustrations of the Auckland SPCA, as the organisation struggles to cope with about 100 abandoned animals a day.

Auckland SPCA animal manager Rachel Green said the thieves took two black male sharpeis - an adult with an old broken leg and a painful eye condition and a puppy.

"Why they would want a dog on three legs who can't see is beyond me."

When workers arrived at the SPCA in Mangere on Monday morning, they discovered the back door smashed open.

The dogs were missing from quarantine kennels about 80m from each other.

Miss Green said it was particularly frustrating because it was the SPCA's busiest time of year.

"We have to deal with about 100 abandoned animals a day at the moment and then something like this happens."

The police had been called but Miss Green was appealing to the public for information leading to the dogs' recovery.

She said the SPCA caretaker's wife, who lived nearby, saw some teenagers on bicycles with two black dogs at 6pm on Monday, suggesting the thieves lived in the area.

The owners of the adult sharpei had been contacted and were not happy, she said. The SPCA had been holding him because of his condition. The puppy was a stray being held while the SPCA sought the owner.

Miss Green said sharpei dogs were quite valuable and a breeder would sell them for about $1000 to $1500.

The SPCA can be contacted on 256-7300.