Dog-burning accused named

The man charged over the deaths of two pig dogs in the back of a burnt-out stolen ute has been remanded in custody and can be named.

Waaka Moka, 25, appeared in the Kaitaia District Court on Tuesday charged with cruelty to an animal, arson and unlawfully taking a vehicle.

Moka was remanded in custody until April 5.

Family members took Moka to police on Monday night.

He is alleged to have stolen a Toyota Hilux ute from the Broadwood home of brothers Chad 22 and Theo Scrivener, 24, on Friday night.

Three hunting dogs were in their cages in the back of the ute, which was driven into a paddock and allegedly set alight.

One of the dogs managed to escape, but the other two died.

On Tuesday duty solicitor Tony Shepherd applied for interim name suppression for Moka, but this was declined by Judge Nevin Dawson.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston said the Broadwood community would no doubt be reassured by the quick result in this case.

“Police take matters such as this very seriously and understand it is very upsetting for the not only the local community but the wider community too,” Mr Johnston said.

Northland-based Cabinet Minister Shane Jones, who is based in Kerikeri, had called for the accused to be “named and shamed”, describing the act behind the dogs’ deaths as “horrible and despicable”.

Meanwhile, SPCA CEO Andrea Midgen said the two dogs would have died a horrible, painful death.

“The SPCA is appalled by the cruelty in this case and disgusted at the actions of the people involved,” Ms Midgen said.

“These people have committed a serious animal welfare offence and these poor dogs would have died a horrible, painful death — this is completely unacceptable. There is no place for this kind of cruelty in our society.”

She said while the matter is being led by police, the SPCA would give any assistance it could, if required.