SPCA reveals worst animal abuse cases

joel.macmanus@stuff.co.nz not survive more than another week, and made the decision to euthanise.

The owner was charged with reckless ill-treatment of an animal. Dogs and cats

Other disturbing cases included dogs beaten with weapons, kittens left to die in rubbish bins, and two poodles who were so neglected they didn’t even look like dogs any more.

Elderly poodle cross dogs Daisy and Lola were named the worst case of the year. They were rescued by an SPCA inspector from an owner who had neglected them for the better part of two years. Their coats were extremely matted and overgrown, they both had arthritis, extensive dental disease, were deaf from infection and nearly blind.

They have since received extensive surgery, had infections treated, and have been adopted together into a new home.

Dogs were the most represented animal on the list, taking up 10 of the 15 spots on the list, including a case where the SPCA seized 40 german shepherds from a puppy farm where they were kept on short leashes, tangled in urine-soaked newspaper and living among their own waste.

A stranger entry on the list this year was several sparrows, pigeons, and other birds which were found decorated with tinsel and other trinkets tied around their necks, restricting movement and causing some to die of starvation.

Tank was left outside, exposed to torrential rain. He has since been adopted into a loving home.

A chestnut gelding was found in such malnourished condition that it had to be put down.