Dog death an ‘accident’

The owner of a dog dragged behind a car along a remote Far North road says the episode was a “horrible accident”.

The dog owner told an SPCA inspector that the dog had been put under the vehicle for shade when the family drove off, forgetting the animal had been tied to the rear of the car.

Bay of Islands SPCA centre manager John Logie said the dog, which died, was a “muchloved pet” and the family was distraught.

“There could be a negligence prosecution, but at this stage it is unlikely.”

A police spokeswoman said police have also spoken to the owner of the dog.

She said the owner visited the Kaikohe Police Station after reading an account of the incident in the Herald.

“He was very upset about the incident and says it was an accident,” she said.

The episode came to light after Werner Roos and his fiancee said they saw a dog tied to the tow bar of a silver SUV and being pulled along State Highway 12 near Waimamaku over Waitangi weekend.

The Auckland-based South African estimated the vehicle was travelling about 60km/h on the highway before turning in to unsealed Ambler Rd on Saturday afternoon.

“I have played the image through in my head quite a few times and I can say for sure that it did look [dead] at that time.”