DOC says it is yet to receive any "concrete" information on who carried out the brutal clubbing to death of 23 fur seals near Kaikoura.

DoC is following up leads on who carried out the brutal clubbing of 23 fur seals near Kaikoura last week.

The number of seals which will die as a result of a brutal attack could be many more than the 23 found, a zoologist says.

Twenty-three seals, including eight newborn pups, were found clubbed to death on the Kaikoura coast. DoC believes the seals were attacked over a number of days.

A popular new pet is all the rage in Britain, but it comes with a warning.

Animal protection inspectors are closing in on offenders responsible for cutting off the ears of an eight-week-old pitbull puppy.

Sow crates will be phased out by December 2015, Agriculture Minister David Carter announced today.

A farming company part-owned by a Cabinet minister was able to brief him on how the Govt could protect its trade with Muslim countries.

Jan Cameron has pledged $2 million to fight animal cruelty - and will give cash to anyone who dobs in farmers' cruel practices.

"We took him to a vet for x-rays and pellets were right through him", a shocked SPCA animal inspector said of Chopper.

As a chef and consumer, my stance has always been to support New Zealand products where possible.

Heads of the NZ Jewish communities are protesting the Government's proposed animal-welfare ban on shechita, the Jewish ritual slaughter of livestock.