The killing of six rottweiler puppies by Invercargill City Council has angered the SPCA.
Council chief executive Richard King told the Southland Times the puppies were taken last week after being found wandering around while their mother barked at school children on Elles Road.
The six-week-old puppies were put down yesterday because the owners did not want them back and the council considered rottweilers a dangerous breed, Mr King said.
Their mother, which had been deemed "menacing", was returned to its owners after they paid an $80 fee -- on the condition it was microchipped, secured and muzzled when outside.
SPCA chief executive Robyn Kippenberger said the council's criteria for killing the dogs was "appalling".
"The fact they can wrench these puppies away from an SPCA that's prepared to look after them, and merrily execute them is rubbish."
