Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Jail time for man who beat ‘Boy’

MEDIA RELEASE 10 APRIL 2013

Jail time for man who beat ‘Boy’

In late June 2012 in a back yard in Mangere, a man called Maxwel Johnson beat his one-year-old dog ‘Boy’ so severely that the dog lost an eye, several teeth, and suffered a broken jaw.

Today in the Manukau District Court Johnson pleaded guilty to the wilful ill-treatment of an animal under Section 28(1a) of Animal Welfare Act 1999 and was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment, disqualified from owning pets for 10 years, and ordered to pay reparations of $4331.75.

First Johnson struck the dog in the head with his fist several times using his full force. Then he struck the dog several more times with the wooden end of a fishing rod, using both arms to swing the rod as hard as he could.

“When SPCA Auckland Inspectors interviewed him under caution a few days later, he admitted the beating,” says SPCA Auckland Chief Inspector Nick Thomason.

“He said he beat the dog on purpose knowing it would injure the dog and cause pain and distress. He said he did it to teach him a lesson. He also stated that the dog was screaming throughout the assault, and further admitted a history of hitting and kicking Boy.”

Acting on a complaint received from a member of the public, Boy, a brindled bull terrier cross, was found chained to a kennel. There was a serious injury to the dog’s left eye and a large amount of swelling over the left upper jaw area. The dog was drooling bloody fluid, was slow and stiff at standing, and was limping on his front right leg.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The dog was seized and transported to SPCA Auckland, and was treated and examined on arrival by an SPCA Veterinarian. Due to the severity of the injuries the eye was surgically removed the next day along with five severely damaged teeth.

An x-ray examination confirmed a fracture to Boy’s left upper jaw and a healing fracture of his right foreleg from a previous injury. The Veterinarian confirmed the dog would have suffered from severe pain and distress caused by the injuries and is left with a permanent disability.

SPCA Executive Director Bob Kerridge says the jail term imposed by the Judge reflects the severity of the crime Johnson committed.

“Such a severe and deliberate beating of a defenceless animal is inexcusable,” says Mr Kerridge.

“Such unprovoked attacks can lead to more serious offences against people, including children. Crimes of violence like this need to be severely dealt with. The term of imprisonment imposed by the Judge will provide time for Johnson to reflect on his cruel deed, and will send a message to others that animal cruelty is a crime.”

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.