Puppy breeders found guilty of neglect
Top Auckland puppy breeders have been found guilty of neglect, after a number of their dogs were found tethered and living in dirty conditions.
Barbara Glover, 83, and her daughter Janine Wallace, 61, were charged with six counts of failing to alleviate the pain or distress of an animal, and 30 charges of failing to meet animals’ physical, health and behavioural needs.
On Monday, Judge Karen Grau released her decision finding Wallace and Glover guilty on 32 of the 36 charges. The pair will be sentenced at a later date.
During the trial the court heard SPCA inspectors, tipped off by a member of the public in 2017, found german shepherds in cages with their own faeces and puppies living in dirty conditions at the duo’s farm in Mangatangi.
Glover and Wallace were known as top german shepherd breeders and ran Volkerson Kennels, which was established in 1962, the court heard.
‘‘I grew up with german shepherds all my life ... this is a hobby, a sport we have been following all our life,’’ Wallace told the court during the trial.
SPCA inspector Kevin Plowright said he found three puppies tethered wearing choke chains – which is against the Animal Welfare Act.
Another two dogs were in a small cage, skidding around in their own faeces and urine, the court heard.
‘‘[There was an] offensive smell of urine and faeces coming from the pen,’’ Plowright said.
Another dog was found tethered to a tree, while six-week old puppies were found in a makeshift pen without water, the court heard.
Inside another shed, inspectors found 10 puppies living, sleeping and defecating in the same area, Plowright said.
The inspector also saw other dogs with no water, tethered using choke chains and small leads.
In all, there were 32 adult dogs and 31 puppies who living with inadequate shelter and in dirty conditions, he said.
Seven months later, the SPCA received another tip-off about ‘‘distressed’’ dogs barking in a bush area.
Six dogs were found tethered to trees on a bank, without shelter.
Four of the dogs appeared thirsty with no water with all, and were at risk of getting tangled in the trees, Plowright said.
When Wallace gave evidence in her own defence, she told the court the dogs were well cared for and had adequate food, water and shelter.
While sheds and areas were cleaned out, sometimes puppies and dogs would be put in confined areas but only for short periods of time, she said.
Dogs would also only be tethered temporarily, Wallace said.
The breeder also disputed allegations dogs were exposed to ammonia, living in their own faeces, or left without water.
In Judge Grau’s decision, she accepted the SPCA were trying to work with Wallace and Glover to improve the living conditions of the dogs at the property, before any charges were laid.
‘‘In general, I consider the SPCA’s concerns about Volkerson Kennels were wellfounded. It was poorly run and there were far too many dogs than could be cared for adequately.’’
Judge Grau said it was abundantly clear Wallace was ‘‘passionate’’ about german shepherds and cared deeply about the dogs.
However, she was left with significant concerns about the credibility and reliability of Wallace’s evidence.
SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen said she was pleased with the decision, which followed a lengthy and costly prosecution for the charity.