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A year on from an ordeal that almost killed him, Job the dog has made an amazing return to full health.
In November last year, the SPCA found Job locked in a house which the tenant had left a week earlier. He was covered in weeping and bleeding sores, his eyes were closed with pus, and mange had left him with no hair on his body.
Now living with long-term foster parents in Tauranga, Job is in "ridiculously good health", said SPCA general manager David Lloyd-Barker.
"He is incredibly spoilt, with acres of paddock to run around in."
Inspector Victoria Border, who found the abandoned Job, said the dog was now off medication. Aside from small recurrences of the mange he was fully fit.
"Job is a real fighter. This dog is an inspiration. He has an amazing personality, with a permanent smile on his face.
"I can't describe how I feel every time I see him. To know what he was like when we found him ... Tears well up in my eyes. There is now no risk of him ever being like he was."
Mr Lloyd-Barker believed Job's survival was testament to the dog's resilience and the professional care of his SPCA team. "Any other dog would have been dead."
The dog was named by his rescuers after the biblical character who kept his faith through a series of trials.
Ms Border is delighted with Job's recovery, but now seeks justice. The dog cannot legally move into a permanent home until the case concerning his neglect is resolved.
The man charged with neglecting Job failed to appear at the defended hearing in the Manukau District Court this month.
Ms Border was "devastated" at his non-appearance. The defendant is believed to have left for Samoa, and the police have issued a warrant for his arrest should he return.
The plight of Job aroused a strong public response, the society said. David Jones, QC, had offered to take the case of his neglect for no charge.
Mr Lloyd-Barker said they were seeking maximum penalties under the Animal Welfare Act of six months in prison and a fine of $25,000.
He said the message was sinking in that animal abuse was intolerable. Prosecution of animal abuses in Auckland had risen 300 per cent this year, under the SPCA's zero tolerance policy.
