A man who left his dog for dead after it swallowed a skewer that pierced its stomach has been sentenced to 300 hours community work and ordered to pay close to $1000 reparation.
An SPCA inspector, acting on a tip-off, found the emaciated dog lying in the garden of a property in Mangatangi, south of Auckland, in October 2008.
It was lethargic and unable to hold its head up for more than a few seconds and the inspector had to carry it to her vehicle, chief Auckland SPCA inspector Vicki Border said.
It did not survive the night and it was later found to have swallowed a bamboo skewer at least a week earlier which had broken into three pieces.
These had pierced the dog's stomach and intestines causing chronic vomiting, peritonitis and twisting of the stomach, which was the ultimate cause of death.
"The veterinarian concluded that the dog would have endured significant pain and suffering over an extended period of time and that any lay person would have realised the dog was in need of veterinary treatment,'' Ms Border said.
The dog's owner, Joshua Skinner, was charged for failing to ensure the dog received treatment to alleviate its pain, but he still failed to show up for court several times.
He was brought before a judge in Te Awamutu District Court yesterday and was condemned by his inaction to help an animal that had obviously suffered great pain over a prolonged period of time.
Judge David Ruth sentenced him to 300 hours of community work and ordered him to pay the SPCA $951 in reparation.
Ms Border said that while it was good the SPCA had obtained a conviction, nothing could make up for the unnecessary suffering the dog endured.
"We can't be everywhere at once - we need members of the public to keep their eyes and ears open and call us if they see or hear an animal in distress, particularly over the holiday period.''
Meanwhile, the SPCA is preparing to prosecute the owners of another dog found malnourished and dehydrated after being denied food for weeks.
"Someone had just tied her up and left her to die,'' Ms Border said.
"It's been years since I've seen a case of neglect this serious.''
The dog - named Cassie - was close to death, but after just 21 days in SPCA care she was like a completely different animal - enjoying walks and running around in the local park.
