A Hauraki Gulf resident accused of allowing his dogs to enter a reserve and kill 14 endangered weka will defend the charges, says the Department of Conservation (DOC).
DOC has laid three charges against the man; allowing his dogs to enter a DOC reserve on two separate occasions, and with being the owner of dogs that attacked and killed protected wildlife - a charge that carries a maximum penalty of three years in jail and/or a $20,000 fine.
The man appeared in Warkworth District Court today and pleaded not guilty to the charges, said DOC investigator Richard Bray.
Although the man was not given name suppression, Mr Bray refused to say who he was.
He is due to appear in Warkworth District Court on January 19 to determine a date for a depositions hearing.
The man allegedly allowed his dogs to enter the Kawau Island Historic Reserve in May this year.
Kawau Island is home to over a third of New Zealand's North Island weka population. North Island brown kiwi are also found on the island, and both species are vulnerable to dog attacks.
The North Island weka is a nationally endangered sub-species.
- NZPA
Weka death accused to defend charges
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
