Man charged over deaths

A man has been charged in relation to the deaths of several dogs on an Interislander ferry earlier this year. The SPCA said yesterday it had charged the man. He would appear in the Wellington District Court later this month. It is understood the dogs were in the vehicle hold of the Aratere ferry, pictured, which departed Picton for Wellington on the evening of February 11. Following the incident an SPCA spokeswoman said several dogs were found dead in an aluminium dog box on the tray of a ute. Three others had to be euthanised because of the extent of their condition. The man faces three charges of ill-treating an animal.