Rottweiler cross Huntaway Tihei was so emaciated and unwell she had to be put down. Photo / SPCA
Rottweiler cross Huntaway Tihei was so emaciated and unwell she had to be put down. Photo / SPCA
A dog found so neglected it had pressure sores and was unable to stand without pain had to be put down, according to the SPCA.
Police, Animal Control and the SPCA responded to reports of an extremely thin dog at a house in Hamilton in February last year and found a female Rottweiler cross Huntaway dog named Tihei chained to a kennel in a backyard surrounded by debris and faeces.
Today, it's owner was convicted and sentenced for failing to ensure that the physical, health and behavioural needs of her dog were met.
Rottweiler cross Huntaway Tihei was so emaciated and unwell she had to be put down. Photo / SPCA
The dog had no access to water and was extremely thin with several open wounds on her rump area.
The SPCA inspector took Tihei for immediate veterinary attention, where she had to be sedated due to aggressive behaviour.
The examination revealed she had extreme muscle wastage and her nails were so long that it would have been painful even to stand.
As a result of having to live on hard ground, Tihei had open, infected pressure sores on both hips and calluses on both elbows. Her coat was greasy and lacked shine, a further indication of poor diet.
The vet concluded Tihei was emaciated, most likely due to starvation or malnutrition over a period of weeks to months and due to her temperament it was recommended that the dog be euthanised on humane grounds.
Rottweiler cross Huntaway Tihei was so emaciated and unwell she had to be put down. Photo / SPCA
Nadine Pereteaho Tawha was today convicted in the Hamilton District Court and sentenced to 100 hours' community work, ordered to pay reparations of $767.90 and disqualified from owning animals for three years.
SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen said there were some cases where unsocialised, chained and neglected animals developed aggressive behaviours and it was not always possible to rehabilitate them.
"The suffering Tihei would have gone through is unacceptable. Owning an animal is a privilege, and this should never be forgotten,' she said.
"If the defendant could not provide Tihei with the care she needed and deserved, she should have tried to find her a new home, or have asked her local SPCA for help or advice.
"There were several steps she could have taken. Just leaving Tihei in such a despairing way is unfathomable.
"Our pets are completely dependent on their owners for food, shelter, companionship, and treatment if they get injured or fall ill. If you own an animal, it is your responsibility to provide these fundamental things."
