Dog Owner Pleads Guilty on Multiple Cruelty Charge

Keeping five dogs in putrid and appalling conditions has earned a Waiau Pa tiler come farmer a fine of $1200. Auckland SPCA has successfully prosecuted Allan Smurthwaite for causing suffering to his five working dogs.

On 24 October 2006, as a result of a complaint by a member of the public, an Auckland SPCA Inspector found four blue heeler type dogs and one huntaway kept in the most disgusting conditions. One was locked in a car wreck with little ventilation or water. Judging by the accumulation of faeces in the car it was estimated that the dog had been incarcerated there for over a month.

The other four dogs were kept in kennels locked inside a shed. Only one had sufficient water for sustenance and it was obvious that the dogs were not being released or exercised on a daily basis, and that it may have even been for over a fortnight since they had been properly attended to. The levels and stench of ammonia and faeces in the shed were so great that the inspector suffered burns to her throat and nose, and later had to seek medical treatment. The Veterinarian accompanying the Inspector stated that not only were the dogs at risk of death due to dehydration and heat exhaustion, but they were also at considerable risk of respiratory disease.

Auckland SPCA Inspectorate Manager, David Lloyd-Barker said that this was a shocking case of neglect. “When these dogs were released, they were frantic and clearly extremely relieved to escape what was their hell. There is no possible excuse for such blatant neglect which results in animals suffering so needlessly.”

Auckland SPCA laid five charges under 1999 Animal Welfare Act. These being Section 29(a) being a person who ill-treats an animal by keeping them in conditions deemed by a Veterinarian to be detrimental to their health, causing that animal to suffer, by any act or omission, pain or distress that in its kind or degree, or in its object, or in the circumstances in which is inflicted, is unreasonable or unnecessary.

The scene was also captured on camera by the Animal House film crew. The next TVNZ series of Animal House featuring the work of the SPCA is due to go on air later this year.

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