A man who planned to walk with his dog more than 600km was charged after dumping the pet when it became exhausted.

More than 3300 dogs impounded in Auckland were destroyed in 2010-11.

Emergency services has a relatively quiet Guy Fawkes night but fireworks are being blamed for the death of a Palmerston North dog.

There will be several big public displays on around the country for Guy Fawke's Night, including quake-ravaged Christchurch.

Lower North Island beachgoers have been met with the sight of hundreds of dead birds...