Slap with a wet bus ticket for severe neglect case

SPCA Auckland Executive Director Bob Kerridge is bitterly disappointed that a Glendene man who severely neglected his boxer dog has not been fined or made to do community service.

Junior York, 27, pleaded guilty to “failing to provide … proper and sufficient food” for his dog and was sentenced by Judge Ryan in the Waitakere District Court on 16 February to two years disqualification from owning dogs and reparations of $491.12.

“Considering the serious neglect involved in this case, I am shocked and disappointed that the judge did not hand down a more severe penalty,” says Kerridge. “I would have at least expected a longer period of disqualification at least. This is tantamount to a slap with a wet bus ticket.

“With the recent increases in penalties under the Animal Welfare Act, I was hoping that judges might begin to hand down sentences to match some of the horrendous crimes inflicted on innocent animals, but this insipid judgment for this badly neglected dog does little to inspire confidence that this will occur.”

The dog in question – a black, female, crossbred boxer – was discovered on 13 July 2011 at a Harmel Road property in Geldene by an SPCA Inspector acting on a tip-off from the public.

The Inspector found the dog inside a garage surrounded by faeces. It was very thin, bleeding from its ears, with conjunctivitis in both eyes, and old pressure sores on its rump. The Inspector took the dog to SPCA Auckland where a veterinarian examined it. The dog weighed only 16.5kg – whereas a dog of this size should weigh between 26kg and 28kg. The claws on all four feet were overgrown indicating a lack of exercise.

“When questioned in regards to the body condition and the disgusting living conditions, the owner said that he fed the dog scraps every second day and didn’t have time to clean out the garage,” says Kerridge.

“This is not a person who should be allowed to own any kind of animal – and yet in two years he’ll be able to keep animals again.”

The dog was treated for the conjunctivitis and sores at SPCA Aucland, and was put on a special diet to help her gain weight and recover.

“The court has now ordered the forfeiture of the dog to the care of SPCA Auckland. The Society is hopeful that in time when a full recovery is made the dog will be able to be adopted to a loving and responsible home,” says Kerridge.

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